Govind Tekale
A heated debate is unfolding in archaeological circles about Gunung Padang in West Java, Indonesia. Some researchers claim it’s the world’s oldest pyramid, potentially dating back 25,000 years. This would make it far older than Egypt’s Djoser Step Pyramid, which Guinness World Records recognizes as the oldest at around 2,630 BC.
The controversial claim comes from a study led by geologist Danny Hilman Natawidjaja of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences. His team published findings in the journal Archaeological Prospection in October 2023, suggesting the site was built in multiple phases stretching back to the Paleolithic era.
“The pyramid’s core consists of meticulously sculpted massive andesite lava,” the researchers wrote. Their radiocarbon dating of soil samples indicated construction phases dating back 25,000-14,000 years ago for the deepest layer.
This timeline challenges conventional understanding that complex construction techniques emerged only after agriculture developed around 11,000 years ago.
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However, many archaeologists strongly dispute these claims. Flint Dibble from Cardiff University expressed surprise the paper was published, stating: “Material rolling down a hill is going to, on average, orient itself,” suggesting what appears man-made could be natural geological formations.
Bill Farley, an archaeologist at Southern Connecticut State University, noted the 27,000-year-old soil samples “do not carry hallmarks of human activity, such as charcoal or bone fragments.”
The academic backlash has been significant enough that Archaeological Prospection has launched an investigation into the paper, leading to its retraction.
Different interpretations exist even among Indonesian experts. While Dr. Ali Akbar from the University of Indonesia supports the theory of ancient construction layers, West Java archaeologist Dr. Lutfi Yondri argues Gunung Padang is a “stepped pundhen” (traditional Indonesian terraced sanctuary) rather than a pyramid, with much more recent dating between 117 BCE and 45 BCE.
Unlike Egyptian pyramids built on flat ground, Gunung Padang was constructed on a natural hill, forming terraces with large stones believed to have been transported from elsewhere.
The Indonesian Ministry of Culture plans to resume research at the site, which had been halted since 2014 due to conflicting academic opinions. Culture Minister Fadli Zon emphasized the need for dialogue between different archaeological perspectives.
Natawidjaja has responded to criticism by inviting international researchers to collaborate on studying the site, saying, “We are really open to researchers around the world who would like to come to Indonesia and do some research programme on Gunung Padang.”
Whether Gunung Padang truly predates structures like Egypt’s Djoser Step Pyramid or Peru’s pyramids of Caral (2700-2600 BC) remains uncertain, but the debate highlights how archaeological discoveries continue to challenge our understanding of human history.
