Tipak Padhukuhan Mataram Kuna Sing Katutup Awan Panas - Liyangan

Summary

The Liyangan site, an ancient settlement buried by the eruption of Mount Sindoro over a thousand years ago, offers a fascinating glimpse into pre-Hindu Mataram civilization. Discovered in 2008, it reveals a rich history with findings like statues, artifacts, and burnt rice, indicating a well-preserved residential and ritual site. The site's discovery highlights a harmonious relationship between the ancient inhabitants and nature, showcasing their advanced disaster mitigation knowledge. This rare archaeological site, located in Central Java, is comparable to Pompeii, with no human remains but valuable insights into ancient life and culture.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Liyangan Site is an ancient settlement buried by volcanic lava from Mount Sindoro over a thousand years ago.
• 😀 In 2008, the site was rediscovered when residents found a fortress while digging in the sand, leading to significant archaeological investigations.
• 😀 The Liyangan site, located in Central Java, lies 6.47 km from the summit of Mount Sindoro and is buried under pyroclastic deposits up to 7 meters deep.
• 😀 Mount Sindoro has erupted at least 12 times in the past 34,000 years, with the most recent eruption occurring in 1970-1971.
• 😀 The site's discovery includes the finding of stone sculptures, statues, and building structures that date back to the 2nd to 3rd centuries AD.
• 😀 Archaeologists have identified that the Liyangan site was a settlement from the ancient Mataram period, including pre-Hindu civilizations.
• 😀 The architecture of the site features punden berundak (sacred stepped terraces), indicative of Megalithic-era worship sites.
• 😀 Evidence such as burnt rice and wood charcoal suggests that ancient houses were constructed from wood and destroyed during volcanic eruptions.
• 😀 The site's findings also include artifacts like Chinese pottery from the Tang Dynasty, indicating interaction with other civilizations during the period.
• 😀 The Liyangan site serves as an example of ancient disaster mitigation, as its residents likely evacuated before the volcanic eruption, showing advanced knowledge of disaster preparedness.

Q & A

What is the Liyangan Site and why is it significant?

The Liyangan Site is an archaeological site located in Temanggung, Central Java, Indonesia. It is significant because it was discovered to be an ancient settlement that had been buried under volcanic deposits from Mount Sindoro. The site provides valuable insights into ancient Mataram civilization, dating back to at least the 2nd century AD, and it offers evidence of pre-Hindu era architecture, rituals, and daily life.

What triggered the discovery of the Liyangan Site?

The discovery of the Liyangan Site was triggered when a local resident found a strange structure while digging to build his house. This led to a report to the Yogyakarta Archeology Hall. Subsequent excavations uncovered a much larger settlement buried under volcanic ash and pyroclastic flow from the eruption of Mount Sindoro.

What findings were made at the Liyangan Site?

At the Liyangan Site, several significant findings were made, including stone statues, sculptures, crude artifacts, and the remains of a settlement. There was evidence of a punden berundak, or a stepped sacred platform, which indicates ritual practices. Carbon dating of artifacts shows the settlement existed as early as the 2nd century AD, long before Hindu influences.

How did Mount Sindoro's eruption affect the Liyangan Site?

The eruption of Mount Sindoro around 1,000 years ago buried the Liyangan Site under thick layers of volcanic ash and pyroclastic materials, preserving the settlement. The eruption caused the settlement to be abandoned, and the site remained buried until its rediscovery in 2008.

What role does carbon dating play in understanding the Liyangan Site?

Carbon dating has been used to determine the age of the artifacts and structures found at the Liyangan Site. This process has shown that the settlement dates back to at least the 2nd century AD, which provides rare archaeological evidence of an ancient civilization in Java before the influence of Hinduism.

What architectural feature is common at the Liyangan Site?

One of the most significant architectural features at the Liyangan Site is the punden berundak, a stepped platform used for ritual purposes. This type of structure is characteristic of the Megalithic period and represents the pre-Hindu religious practices in ancient Java.

What materials were used in the construction of buildings at the Liyangan Site?

Buildings at the Liyangan Site were primarily constructed from wood, including species such as Puspa, Rasamala, and Pandak Cemara trees. However, due to volcanic eruptions, much of the wooden structures were burned, leaving behind few traces of buildings from the ancient Mataram period.

What is the significance of the rice and other food remains found at the Liyangan Site?

The discovery of rice and other food remains at the Liyangan Site is significant because it provides insight into the agricultural practices of the ancient Mataram civilization. The rice remains, some of which were found charred, suggest that the settlement was not only an urban area but also an agricultural hub.

What artifacts were found at the Liyangan Site, and what do they reveal about the culture?

Artifacts found at the Liyangan Site include crude pottery, Chinese urns from the Tang Dynasty, and other ceremonial items. These artifacts indicate a connection with foreign trade, particularly with China, and they reveal the presence of complex cultural practices, including rituals and agricultural activities.

What was the role of disaster mitigation in the survival of ancient residents at Liyangan?

The survival of the ancient residents at the Liyangan Site can be attributed to their knowledge of disaster mitigation. They were able to recognize the signs of an impending eruption and took refuge in time, which explains the lack of human remains at the site. This disaster preparedness highlights their harmony with nature and ability to predict natural events.