Penelitian Manusia, Budaya, dan Lingkungan pada Masa Prasejarah di Gua Lawa, Sampung, Jawa Timur

Summary

The transcript discusses the archaeological exploration of Gua Lawa, a prehistoric cave site in Ponorogo, Indonesia, which has been excavated since the 1920s. The cave is significant for its rich historical findings, including ancient tools and animal bones. The research, spanning several decades, reveals that the cave was inhabited by humans around 7,000 to 4,000 years ago. It highlights two distinct cultural layers: one featuring bone tools from an ancient population, and another showcasing stone tools linked to a later Neolithic culture. This site provides crucial insights into prehistoric life and the cultural diversity of early human settlers in the region.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Gua Lawa site is located in the northwest of Ponorogo, Indonesia, within a forested area owned by Perum Perhutani.
• 😀 The first archaeological excavation at Gua Lawa occurred in 1926, led by the geologist Vanes, who discovered stone tools and animal bone artifacts.
• 😀 Further research at the site occurred between 1928 and 1931, under the supervision of Van Stein Callenfels, who conducted large-scale digs in the cave.
• 😀 Gua Lawa is a prehistoric human habitation site, and the cave has been dated to have been inhabited from at least 7000 years ago to around 4000 years ago.
• 😀 The cave is part of a larger Karst region and is linked to other prehistoric habitation sites across Java, including the Gunung Sewu area.
• 😀 Researchers have identified at least 9 human skeletons in the cave, with some evidence of folded burial practices, indicating Austromelanesoid traits.
• 😀 The site shows evidence of two different cultures: one using bone tools and the other using stone tools, particularly arrowheads, indicating cultural diversity.
• 😀 The archaeological layers at Gua Lawa include volcanic ash deposits and stratigraphy that suggest water-based sedimentation from nearby river overflow.
• 😀 Modern excavation methods, including precise recording techniques, have helped reconstruct the prehistoric environment more accurately compared to earlier research.
• 😀 The findings from Gua Lawa provide important insights into the history of human settlement in Indonesia and contribute to understanding cultural and physical diversity in prehistoric human populations.

Q & A

What is the location of the Lawa Cave and its significance in archaeological research?

Lawa Cave is located in the northwest of Ponorogo City, approximately 18 kilometers away. It is situated in the Dukuh Bowo Rejo area, Sampung Village, in the Ponorogo Regency, within a forested area managed by Perum Perhutani. The cave has been an important site for prehistoric habitation research, revealing a variety of archaeological findings.

Who first conducted research at Lawa Cave, and what were the significant findings?

Research at Lawa Cave began in 1926 by a geologist named Vanes. He discovered various stone tools and bone artifacts. Additionally, he found a collection of bones, some of which were attributed to prehistoric animals. This marked the beginning of significant archaeological interest in the site.

How did the research at Lawa Cave progress after Vanes' initial exploration?

Between 1928 and 1931, further excavations were carried out by Van Stein Callenfels. These efforts extended to more areas of the cave, uncovering more artifacts. The extensive excavation led to the discovery of more tools and bones, which were later sent to the Netherlands for analysis.

What was the focus of the 2019 excavation at Lawa Cave?

The 2019 excavation aimed to revisit earlier discoveries and explore the positioning of the findings within the stratigraphy of the cave. The research also sought to improve the chronology and dating of the artifacts, as prior studies had insufficient information for accurate dating.

What types of animals' bones have been found at Lawa Cave, and what does it suggest about the prehistoric inhabitants?

The bones of large animals such as cattle, buffalo, and deer have been found at Lawa Cave. This suggests that the prehistoric inhabitants of the cave were likely hunters of large game, in contrast to other sites where smaller animals were primarily hunted.

What evidence indicates the cultural practices of the prehistoric inhabitants of Lawa Cave?

The presence of buried human remains, specifically those that were flexed (folded) during burial, suggests cultural practices associated with the Australomelanesid race. This burial practice is consistent with the traditions of early human populations in Southeast Asia.

What is the significance of bone tools discovered at the site, and which culture are they associated with?

Bone tools found at Lawa Cave are indicative of a culture associated with the Australomelanesid race, which is known for the use of bone-based tools. These tools are a dominant feature of the cave's findings and represent a distinctive aspect of prehistoric technology in the region.

How does Lawa Cave fit within the broader context of prehistoric settlements in Indonesia?

Lawa Cave is part of a larger network of prehistoric settlements found in karst regions across Indonesia, such as the Gunungsewu area. Similar cave sites in these regions show evidence of long-term human habitation, with some dating back as far as 45,000 years ago.

What can be inferred about the interaction between different human races in the region based on the findings?

The archaeological findings at Lawa Cave suggest that different human races, specifically the Australomelanesid and Mongoloid races, coexisted and interacted in the region. The presence of bone tools from the Australomelanesid culture and stone arrowheads from the Mongoloid culture points to a blending of different cultural practices over time.

What role do stratigraphy and geological studies play in understanding the site?

Stratigraphy and geological studies play a crucial role in understanding the timeline of Lawa Cave's occupation. The stratigraphy of the site includes volcanic tufa layers, which help date the deposits and provide insight into the environmental conditions that existed when the cave was occupied. The findings contribute to a more accurate reconstruction of the site's history.