The Mysterious Gunung Padang

I just find it simply amazing whenever a discovery is made about an ancient megalithic structure. I mean, just think modern architectural marvels like the ‘Burj Khalifa’, or the ‘Sears Tower’ in Chicago, or even the Golden Gate in California have had to undergo lots of planning, brainstorming, engineering expertise, thousands of hours of labour etc. On top of that, there were issues like the weather, human capital, politics etc. Still, all of these amazing and brilliant structures are standing tall today as a reminder of human excellence, endeavour and sheer creativity. Of course, modern technology, fast means of transport and communication, easy and ready labour, efficient infrastructure etc have all played their parts in this gargantuan effort. Now, let’s transport ourselves to the beginning of time when early men started settling down. At that time he neither had the help of brilliant engineers nor did he have all the latest modern technology, also he did not have heavy and fast means of transport to carry raw materials from one place to another. The only mode of travel and communication was by foot. As he had not yet advanced as he would start domesticating animals for this purpose. That came at a very late stage when he started agriculture.

The point I am trying to make here is that despite all the hardships and lack of modern amenities and facilities, the early humans were still able to create such brilliant structures like the Pyramids, The Stonehenge, Gobekli Tepe, The Sphinx, etc. These structures have withstood the vagaries of time, civilizations, weather and evolution and are living example of the sheer brilliance of the people during those times. It is also a reminder that even during those early times, people did possess engineering skills. We are still in awe of the sheer beauty and majesty of these Ancient structures and are trying to find how those early humans created such beautiful and amazing superstructures! Today, we are going to talk about one of these superstructures which has baffled, mystified and cowed today’s scientists, archaeologists, geophysicists all together. I am talking about Gunung Padang and it’s in Indonesia.

Just imagine that you are coming to a new place, a country for colonising it and the first thing you encounter is this massive ancient superstructure, which towers above you. It would be just overwhelming for anyone! I know, it would be for me. According to historical records, it was discovered by the Dutch in the first half of the 20th century, when they came to colonise Indonesia.

Gunung Padang, as it is known, is located in western Java, Indonesia. If you go by experts’ testimony, then according to carbon-dating reports, it is believed to be 20,000 years old! As if this was not enough this megalithic structure is composed of layers and there are hundreds of layers underneath the ground. There even have been reports of secret underground chambers which have not been explored or discovered yet! This has been described as one of South East Asia’s biggest megalithic structures to date. According to Danny Hillman Natawidjaja, Indonesia and the world’s premier geophysicist, Gunung Padang is not an artificial structure; rather it’s a man-made structure. He also says that several layers were added by early humans during the early phases of civilization. This he has been able to prove by using the latest ground-breaking technology like Ground Penetration Radar (GPR), and seismic tomography and lastly by archaeological expeditions. Also, according to Danny, the topmost layer is made up of rock columns, walls, paths and spaces. Below it is another layer that is 1–3 metres underground. Not only this, his further research has shown that there is a third layer also at least 15 metres deep. It sits on another layer, which is made of basalt rock and you wouldn’t believe it, somehow carved or modified by human hands!

I am just wondering that when these archaeologists, geophysicists penetrate the inner chambers of this massive chamber underground; what are they going to find! There has enough proof been gathered that this ancient megalithic superstructure predates the oldest civilization that is the Egyptian civilization by a millennium. It is interesting to note here that according to many expert archaeologists and historians, pre-history and early civilizations as we know it can very well be rewritten as more and more secrets are being uncovered from this place. This has prompted Graham Hancock, well-known writer, researcher of ancient civilizations to also claim that all our existing knowledge of prehistoric civilizations may be worthless as we keep discovering older and ancient civilizations than the ones we already know! He also claims that the present civilization has become pompous, arrogant and megalomaniac to understand the true essence of the evolution of mankind.

Unfortunately, according to reports, funding has been discontinued for more scientific and archaeological expeditions on this ancient megalithic structure. This has also led Danny to claim that we are being kept bereft of secrets of the ancients which could have been beneficial to our civilization only.

Indeed, the past has still lo to teach us. It has to teach us that we can coexist in harmony and peace with all other species and with ourselves also. This would not only bring peace, harmony and love but also the dawn of a new era where everyone can live and breathe free