Sangiran Menjawab Dunia - Episode 5: Penelitian Situs Sangiran

Summary

The transcript describes a personal account of the significant changes in the Sangiran area since 1976, when the speaker was a doctoral student conducting research with Professor Yakob. The area, once barren and difficult to navigate due to the lack of trees, has transformed into a lush, fertile environment. The speaker highlights the collaborative efforts between various institutions and the impact of Professors Jacob, Tono, and others in advancing archaeological and anthropological research in Indonesia, particularly in Sangiran. The region has been pivotal in understanding human evolution, with Homo erectus findings shedding light on early human migration, tool use, and cultural evolution. The speaker emphasizes the importance of continued research in Sangiran, which has not only contributed to the global understanding of prehistoric life but also holds the potential for future discoveries that could further enrich our knowledge of human history.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker began their research in Sangiran in 1976 as a doctoral student, collaborating with Professor Yakob and involving multiple institutions in the study of the area.
• 🌳 The environment of Sangiran has significantly changed since the 1970s, with the area being much greener and more fertile now due to water conservation efforts.
• 🏞️ The local lifestyle has also evolved; the speaker recalls how people used to bathe in water stored in rice field ditches, a practice that has since changed.
• 🔬 The research in Sangiran was not widely pursued initially, but after Professor Jacob's active involvement, there was a synergy that led to significant developments in Indonesian archaeology.
• 🌿 The findings from the research have become the foundation of our current knowledge, covering a long period of the Earth's history, including the emergence of humans and frequent climate changes.
• 🦴 The speaker discusses the collection of Homo erectus fossils found in Indonesia, primarily in Java, and the ongoing debate about whether these remains represent a single species or multiple species.
• 🧬 There have been numerous findings of early human tools and artifacts at Sangiran, contradicting previous beliefs that Homo erectus did not create stone tools or utilize other materials like bone, bamboo, and wood.
• 🌐 Sangiran's importance in the history of human evolution is highlighted, as it provides evidence of early human migration out of Africa and the farthest reach of Homo erectus.
• ⛰️ The speaker emphasizes the significance of Sangiran in filling gaps in the history of early human life, offering insights into the origins, lifestyle, adaptation, and interaction with the environment of early humans.
• 🏞️ The future of the Sangiran site depends on further discoveries, which is the task of researchers to predict and explore.
• 🌟 The speaker's personal contribution to the field includes the discovery of a 1.2 million-year-old tool at Sangiran, which was recognized globally and highlighted the site's importance in human prehistory.

Q & A

In what year did the speaker first enter the Sangiran area for research?

The speaker first entered the Sangiran area for research in the year 1976.

What was the condition of the Sangiran area when the speaker first arrived?

When the speaker first arrived, the Sangiran area was described as very arid with hardly any trees and a challenging environment to find even a single tree.

How has the lifestyle of the local people in the Sangiran area changed since the speaker's first visit?

The lifestyle of the local people has significantly changed. They used to bathe in water stored in ditches within the rice fields during the early morning and evening, but the current lifestyle is not described as such anymore.

What is the significance of the research conducted by Professor Jacob and his colleagues in the context of Indonesian archaeology?

The research conducted by Professor Jacob and his colleagues has laid the foundation for our current knowledge. They synergized to design the development of research in Indonesia, particularly focusing on Sangiran, which has greatly contributed to the understanding of early human history in the region.

What is the current understanding of Homo erectus based on the findings in Indonesia?

The current understanding is that Homo erectus fossils have been found mainly in Java, indicating a long evolutionary process that took place over approximately a million years on the island. However, it is suggested that only about 40% of the potential findings have been discovered, with 60% still remaining to be uncovered.

What does the speaker suggest about the diversity of Homo erectus found in Indonesia?

The speaker suggests that there is a diversity among the Homo erectus found in Indonesia, raising questions about whether they represent a single species or multiple species and how they evolved over time.

What was the contribution of Homo erectus to tool-making, as revealed by the findings at Sangiran?

Contrary to previous beliefs, Homo erectus in Java were found to have made tools not only from stone but also from other materials such as animal bones, bamboo, and wood, indicating a more advanced tool-making capability than previously thought.

Why is the Sangiran site considered important in the context of human prehistory?

Sangiran is important because it fills in the earliest chapters of human prehistory in Indonesia, providing insights into the origins, lifestyle, adaptation, and interaction of early humans with their environment. It also contributes significantly to the global understanding of human migration out of Africa.

What is the significance of the Trinil site in the context of human evolution?

The Trinil site is significant because it is where some of the earliest remains of Homo erectus were discovered, including the famous 'Java Man,' which has contributed greatly to the global context of human evolution.

What does the speaker suggest about the future discoveries at the Sangiran site?

The speaker suggests that future discoveries at Sangiran will continue to provide valuable insights into human prehistory. These may include additional artifacts, evidence of early human tools, and a deeper understanding of the life of early humans in the region.

How does the speaker describe the importance of understanding the history of early human life for modern humans?

The speaker emphasizes that understanding the history of early human life is crucial for modern humans to understand their origins, the journey of their evolution, and to gain a sense of identity and self-awareness. This knowledge helps to shape the narrative of humanity's past and contributes to a deeper understanding of who we are today.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Early Research and Environment of Sangiran

The first paragraph introduces the speaker's first encounter with the Sangiran area in 1976 as a doctoral student. It highlights the stark difference between the environment at that time and the present day. The speaker recalls the challenging conditions, with a lack of trees and a distinct lifestyle of the local inhabitants, who bathed in water stored in paddy fields. The paragraph also discusses the initial sparse presence of researchers in the area before Professor Jacob's active research led to a surge in scientific synergy and significant findings on human evolution, covering a long period of the Earth's history.

05:02

🏺 Homo Erectus and Cultural Evolution in Sangiran

The second paragraph delves into the findings of Homo erectus fossils in Indonesia, primarily in Sangiran. It discusses the possibility of Homo erectus being a single species or multiple, and their evolution over approximately a million years on the island of Java. The speaker mentions the discovery of stone tools, indicating the use of technology by Homo erectus, which was previously thought not to exist. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of Sangiran in understanding the early human migration from Africa and the cultural evolution, as well as the significance of the site in the broader context of human evolution.

10:03

🌏 Sangiran's Contribution to Understanding Early Human Life

The third paragraph underscores the importance of Sangiran in contributing to the knowledge of early human life. It discusses the discovery of stone tools that are over 1.2 million years old, which were made by Homo erectus. The speaker talks about the international recognition of these findings and how they have changed the perception of Homo erectus as tool-makers. The paragraph also highlights the significance of Indonesia, particularly Sangiran, in showing the farthest reach of Homo erectus and its role in the broader narrative of human evolution and cultural adaptation.

15:09

📚 The Role of Sangiran in Human History and Identity

The final paragraph reflects on the importance of understanding Sangiran's role in human history and the identity of the Indonesian people. It suggests that knowing the past through sites like Sangiran is crucial for understanding who we are as a nation. The speaker emphasizes the need to appreciate and understand the historical and evolutionary significance of the site, which has provided a wealth of knowledge about early human life and has been an integral part of the human evolutionary story in Indonesia.

Keywords

💡Sangiran

Sangiran refers to a significant archaeological site in Indonesia, renowned for its hominid fossils and artifacts. It is central to the video's theme as it provides insights into early human life, evolution, and culture. The script mentions various findings from Sangiran, such as Homo erectus fossils and stone tools, which are crucial for understanding human prehistory.

💡Homo erectus

Homo erectus is an extinct species of hominids that lived in Indonesia, particularly on the island of Java. The term is integral to the video's narrative as it discusses the evolution and lifestyle of this early human species. The script provides examples such as the discovery of Homo erectus tools and fossils at Sangiran, illustrating their advanced capabilities and the duration of their existence on Java.

💡Archaeological research

Archaeological research is the systematic study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of artifacts and structures. It is a key concept in the video as it details the methods and findings that have shaped our understanding of early human life in Sangiran. The script mentions the collaboration between various institutions and the synergy between different experts that led to significant discoveries.

💡Paleoanthropology

Paleoanthropology is the study of human evolution through the examination of fossils and genetic evidence. It is a fundamental concept in the video, as it pertains to the analysis of early human remains found at Sangiran. The script highlights the role of Professor Jacob, a paleoanthropologist, in advancing research in this field.

💡Geology

Geology is the study of the Earth's structure, composition, and the processes that shape it. In the context of the video, geology is relevant as it helps in dating the archaeological finds and understanding the environmental conditions of the past. The script mentions Professor Tono, a geologist from Bandung Institute of Technology, who contributed to the research at Sangiran.

💡Cultural evolution

Cultural evolution refers to the development and changes in human societies and cultures over time. The video touches on this concept when discussing the adaptation and interaction of early humans with their environment. It is exemplified by the script's mention of the spread of unique cultural traditions by early humans, which is a significant aspect of human prehistory.

💡Migration

Migration, in the context of the video, refers to the movement of early humans from their original habitats to new lands. It is a key theme as it discusses the migration of Homo erectus out of Africa and into Java, indicating the geographical reach of early human species. The script provides a historical perspective on the migration waves, emphasizing the significance of these movements in human evolution.

💡Stone tools

Stone tools are implements made from stone that were used by early humans for various purposes. They are significant in the video as they provide evidence of the technological capabilities of Homo erectus. The script mentions the discovery of stone tools at Sangiran, which contradicted previous beliefs that these early humans did not possess the knowledge to create such tools.

💡Fossils

Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals, plants, and other organisms from the remote past. In the video, fossils are a core element as they serve as the primary source of evidence for studying ancient life, including Homo erectus. The script discusses the discovery of numerous Homo erectus fossils at Sangiran, which have greatly contributed to our knowledge of human evolution.

💡Prehistory

Prehistory refers to the period before written records, covering the development of human societies and cultures. The video delves into this concept by exploring the life and evolution of early humans in Indonesia. The script uses the term to frame the discussion around the significance of the findings at Sangiran and their contribution to our understanding of human origins and development.

💡Adaptation

Adaptation in the video refers to the process by which early humans adjusted to their environment, enabling them to survive and evolve. It is a key concept as it highlights the resilience and evolutionary success of Homo erectus. The script discusses how these early humans interacted with their environment, leading to cultural and physical adaptations that shaped their evolution.

Highlights

The speaker entered the Sangiran area in 1976 as a doctoral student to conduct research in collaboration with the Yogyakarta Archaeological Office and Gadjah Mada University's Anthropology Laboratory.

The environment of Sangiran was very different in the past, with a lack of trees and a challenging environment for the local population.

The local people had different ways of life, such as bathing in water collected from rice fields.

Professor Jacob's active research in Sangiran led to a synergy with other experts, significantly contributing to the knowledge of human evolution.

The research findings have become the basis for our current understanding of human evolution in Indonesia.

Sangiran covers a significant period in Earth's history, including the emergence of humans and frequent climate and geographical changes.

The speaker discusses the discovery of new collections and findings that have not been previously seen or studied.

The study of Homo erectus fossils in Indonesia, particularly in Sangiran, provides insights into their diversity and evolution.

Only about 40% of the potential findings in Sangiran have been discovered, with 60% still hidden and awaiting discovery.

The discovery of Homo erectus tools in Sangiran challenges previous beliefs that they did not make stone tools or were unaware of stone tool technology.

Homo erectus in Java were also capable of making tools from other materials such as bone, bamboo, and wood.

Sangiran's findings are crucial for understanding the early history of human life and the oldest forms of human existence in Indonesia.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of Sangiran in providing insights into the origins, lifestyle, adaptation, and interaction of early humans with their environment.

The discovery of Homo erectus in Indonesia indicates the farthest distance they could travel during their lifetime, which is significant for understanding human migration.

The speaker highlights the importance of understanding the past to know oneself and one's identity, which is a key part of the human journey.

The future of the Sangiran site depends on further discoveries, which is the task of researchers to predict and explore.

The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of Sangiran in understanding human evolution and the journey of humankind.

Transcripts

Hai puding jeruk

[Musik]

Hai mungkin saya ingat ya saya bertambah

sekali masuk ke Sangiran itu tahun 1976

Waktu itu saya masih mahasiswa doktoral

ikut penelitian Profesor Yakob jadi

kerjasama antara Balai arkeologi Jogja

dengan laboratorium antropologi ragawi

Universitas Gadjah Mada dan kami

meneliti di wilayah suruhan daerah

Karanganyar kondisinya sangat berbeda

dengan sekarang ya Ketika saya untuk

pertama sekali memasuki wilayah Sangiran

untuk penelitian ya pada waktu itu

lingkungan Sangiran itu gersang sekali

tidak ada pohon sangat sulit mencari

satu pohon saja

Hai dan cara-cara hidup penduduk

setempat pun sangat berbeda dengan

sekarang Saya masih ingat penduduk

setempat itu mandi dibulak ya air yang

tersimpan di satu cekungan-cekungan di

sawah itu rame-rame pagi dan sore ya

disitu semuanya Tapi sekarang sudah

tidak seperti itu lagi ah sekarang

lingkungannya sudah hijau ya dan

tanahnya sudah semakin subur karena

sudah menyimpan air dalam konteks

penelitian ya pada waktu itu memang

belum ramea para peneliti belum banyak

yang datang ke Sangiran untuk meneliti

tapi setelah Professor Jacob aktif

meneliti Sangiran ada semacam Sinergi

antara Professor Jacob dengan dua ahli

lain

yaitu ahli pertama-tama bangsa Indonesia

Profesor Jacob dibidang paleoantropologi

itu manusia purba nya proporsional yang

mengepalai pusat penelitian arkeologi

nasional ahli di bidang arkeologi dan

Profesor Tono itu geologi dari Institut

Teknologi Bandung lirik tiga Profesor

ini bersinergi merancang pengembangan

penelitian di Indonesia pada umumnya dan

di Sangiran pada khususnya nah hasil

dari penelitian mereka itu menjadi dasar

pengetahuan kita pada masa sekarang jadi

sangeran ini sebetulnya kita bisa

meninjau satu jangka waktu sangat

panjang yaitu yang menutupi ampir bagian

pertama dari yang kita

Sebutkan zaman kwarter meng-cover itu

suatu periode dalam sejarah bumi dimana

iklim sering baru Bang sehingga geografi

dan lingkungan sering berubah dan

manusia muncul sudah banyak temuan ya

yang sebetulnya sudah diteliti oleh

banyak peneliti dari sejak zaman dulu

ada whedon dusri ada connectwell sendiri

gitu ya Tetapi ada juga koleksi koleksi

temuan baru yang semua orang belum

pernah melihat apalagi Katakanlah itu

mendapatkan uraian tentang teman-teman

baru tadi itu nah atas dasar ini saya

harus memberikan uraian mengenai

teman-teman baru itu digabungkan dengan

rumah lama jadi materi untuk S3 saya

adalah seluruh fosil-fosil Homo erectus

yang ditemukan di Indonesia

utama dicapai memang belum ada ketemu

Homo Erectus di luar Jawa ya bisa dari

Trinil dari Ngandong dari Sangiran

sendiri dari patiayam Day kedungbrubus

dan sebagainya untuk melihat tentang

keragaman Jadi bagaimana mereka itu

sebetulnya Apakah itu sebuah spesies

tunggal Apakah spesies ganda Apakah

hanya satu Lalu bagaimana mereka itu

berevolusi selama kira-kira satu juta

tahu terakhir di di Pulau Jawa itu

teknik yang kita terima sampai sekarang

di Sangiran itu ya kalau untuk jenis

manusia purba ini lebih dari 100

individu lah itu ya Dan ini baru sekitar

empat puluh persen lah dari apa yang

dimiliki oleh Sangiran karena yang 60%

itu masih Terpendam Dinda ban depan ya

Sangiran sekarang yang luas sekali 8

kilo kali 7 kilo itu ya Jadi yang

pemahaman kita tentang Apa itu evolusi

ia evolusi binatang ataupun evolusi

budaya sendiri tentang Sangiran itu baru

sekitar empat puluh persen kita di masa

depan masih Akan kita temukan artefak

alat batu masih Akan kita temukan

manusia purba nya dan masih Akan kita

temukan banyak sekali fosil-fosil

binatang ya pandangan-pandangan yang

mewarnai ya pemahaman tentang kehidupan

purba di dunia dengan penemuan dari

Sangiran yang pertama yaitu Tadi adanya

migrasi migrasi manusia purba dari

Afrika dan auto paprika jadi itu ada dua

gelombang migrasi satu yang tertua out

of Africa want Ya keluarnya dari Afrika

yang pertama yang data-datanya dimulai

share 1,8 juta tahun dan buktinya kita

temukan Disini yang kedua adalah auto

valve Rika Tuh atau yang kedua gelombang

kedua juga data-datanya kita temukan di

sini itu sumbangan yang pertama dari

Sangiran untuk dunia yang kedua

menyangkut peralatan manusia purba kalau

tahun 80-an ke bawah para ahli cenderung

mengatakan Homo Erectus atau manusia

purba yang hidup di Jawa tidak membuat

alat-alat bantu atau tidak mengenal

teknologi alat-alat batu tetapi berkat

penemuan-penemuan dari Sangiran pendapat

itu tidak benar Homo Erectus ternyata

membuat juga alat-alat dari batu tentu

mereka juga membuat alat-alat dari bahan

lain misalnya dari

yang tulang hewan yang sudah tidak

dipakai lagi atau dari bambu dan kayu ya

sebagai daerah tropis ya kayak sekali

dengan pohon dan bambu tentu Mereka

memanfaatkan masalahnya penelitian tidak

menemukan lagi sisa-sisa dari bahan

organik itu karena sudah punah termakan

waktu pengembangan Sangiran untuk

prasejarah Indonesia jelas sangat-sangat

pentingnya dei Barat pada sejarah

Indonesia itu terdiri dari dua puluh

lembar misalnya Sangiran itu mengisi

lembar-lembar pertama artinya mengisi

sejarah kehidupan kehidupan yang tertua

ya tanpa data dari Sangiran pengetahuan

kita tentang kehidupan purba yang tertua

Kai itu masih banyak kekosongan

kekosongan jadi disini pentingnya

Sangiran ya memberikan pemahaman bagi

kita dari mana asal-usul manusia purba

itu bagaimana kehidupannya Bagaimana

proses adaptasi dan interaksinya

terhadap lingkungan hingga dia bisa

berkembang turun-temurun sampai ratusan

ribu atau jutaan tahun yang lalu

Indonesia itu sebetulnya kalau

dibandingkan dengan evolusi yang ada di

dunia tadi itu dia mengisi sementara ini

baru pada Homo Erectus dan homo sapiens

Jadi dua jenis manusia yang terakhir dia

Katakanlah riwayat evolusi manusia di

Indonesia itu kira-kira satu setengah

sudah tahunnya tetapi kelebihannya di

Sangiran atau kelebihan di Indonesia itu

dia sangat identik dengan Java main tadi

itu yang sudah

saja 2018 91 ngerongsen tentang temannya

dari Trinil dan ini Kebetulan Jawa ini

menjadi tanah tua yang memberikan

konotasi javanen tadi itu dan ini

dikenal di seluruh dunia dalam konteks

evolusi manusia sehingga mereka juga

sangat menghargai teman-teman dari Jawa

Nah itu posisinya Kalau dari segi

evolusi cuman 1,8 juta kira-kira tetapi

dari segi historis ya karena pompa harus

pertama itu ditemukan di Trinil termasuk

yang dari Indonesia ini bahkan mempunyai

kotak didayung ini tiga kali tiga meter

Saya perdalam lagi hanya seperempat

ukuran tahu-tahu saya sampai kepada

lapisan pasir dan di situ saya ketemu

fosil saya bertemu lagi alat-alat batu

saya buka semuanya dalam satu ketebalan

1 meter itu saya mendapatkan 220wat kiri

adalah alat yang ditumbuhi dunia Anda

sebetulnya ini adalah alat dari Homo

Erectus arg

ada di Sangiran dan ini kemudian sayap

melakukan presentasi dipanggil ah tahun

2006 kemudian ada di science dan

sebagainya sampai akhirnya dunia melihat

bahwa Sangiran tuh ternyata mempunyai

alat yang tua 1,2 juta tahun Nah itu

adalah hasil dari perburuan artefak

selama tujuh tahun r7000 tahun dan ini

jawabnya ada disini gitu ya untuk dunia

Sangiran jelas memberikan sumbangan yang

tidak kalah pentingnya Apa itu misalnya

ya kehidupan manusia purba kita tahu

hanya ditemukan sisanya di beberapa

tempat tidak banyak bisa dihitung dengan

jari situs-situs di Afrika Kemudian

beberapa situs di Eropa di Asia itu ada

di China dan di kita

beberapa temuan kecil seperti di India

dan tempat lainnya tetapi Indonesia

sebagai lokasi yang terjauh dari Afrika

atau dari asal-usul manusia purba itu

menjadi sangat sangat penting karena apa

Karena ini menunjukkan bahwa

Indonesialah jarak yang terjauh yang

bisa dicapai Homo Erectus dalam

pengembaraannya selama hidupnya itu

sebabnya ketika literatur ketika

diskusi-diskusi ilmiah tentang sejarah

Purba ada Sangiran selalu ada di situ

Sangiran tidak pernah Tertinggal dan

Sangiran memberikan banyak pengetahuan

tentang kehidupan purba itu

Yunus Segaran terkenal sejak tahun 1930

hampir diseluruh dunia penemuan yang

paling menarik tahu apa 34 atau

dipublikasikan mungkin kau mujibatul 7

dan itu sangat diakui di seluruh dunia

tuh disini ditemukan manusia pertama

yang menjadi penghuni Pulau sejarah itu

sangat penting dalam evolusi manusia

waktu naik turun muka ya laut ternyata

manusia beserta juga hewan-hewan bisa

mencapai ujung dari Semenanjung rahasia

ini dan Jawa itu adalah memang diujung

batas benua Asia manusia bisa masuk

sampai sini kemudian waktu naiknya lagi

muka ya laut menjadi

Hai penghuni Pulau pertama dan disini

bisa menyerang ini terdapat jejak

pertama dari pendatang baru yang membawa

tradisi budaya yang sangat khas suatu

tradisi budaya disebut dalam lingkungan

kejadian hasil yang tradisi budaya itu

layarnya fregat sekitar satu setengah

juta tahun yang lalu kemudian Wak dibawa

oleh manusia dari Afrika sampai ke injak

lebih dari satu juta tahun yang lalu dan

dari situ menyebarluaskan diseluruh

hampir seluruh keras yang termasuk di

Eropa Barat sekitar 600 ribuan tahun

yang lalu tapi JB dulu sampai jawab

sekitar 800.000 tahun yang lalu museum

itu fungsinya adalah membuka apa yang

disamarkan oleh tanah

Hai tetapi jelas masa depan situs

tergantung juga pada penemuan yang akan

terjadi dan itu memang tugas peneliti

yaitu menyatakan dimana bukan dimana

akan dilakukan penemuan tetapi gimana

mungkin dilakukan penemuan baru Sangiran

adalah salah satu proses di awal ketika

kita belajar tentang kemanusiaan yang

akhirnya berjalan waktu sampai sekarang

menjadi seperti yang seperti ini lain

proses seperti ini perlu dipahami

sehingga mereka bisa memahami siapa diri

mereka sendiri akhirnya dan lebihmu

dibagi menjadi suatu cerita usaha jika

kita mengetahui sejarah masa lalu kita

kita melalui proses yang sudah kita

lakukan dan kita mengetahui jati diri

bangsa jika hal seperti sangat perlu

untuk mengatakan siapa kita sebenarnya

saya tidak diciptakan oleh tapi saya

merupakan Sangiran dan kita sedang

berada di antaranya secara Dengan

memahami semua itu kita lebih tahu jadi

kepo

[Musik]

[Tepuk tangan]

[Musik]