Malang resident discovers structures believed to be ancient temple
JAKARTA: A resident of Landungsari Village in Malang Regency, East Java, has discovered a brick structure believed to be the remains of an ancient temple, possibly dating back to the 10th-century Medang Kingdom.
The structure was discovered last week by Rudi Harianto, the head of Bendungan Hamlet, while preparing a tent for a local event on farmland.
'When I tried to drive a bamboo pole into the ground, it struck something hard. As I dug to remove it, I uncovered a brick,' Rudi said in a recent interview, as quoted by Tribunnews
The following day, the 40-year-old reported the discovery to the Indonesian Archaeology and Cultural Conservation Society (PPBI), which later sent a team to conduct further excavation at the site.
The PPBI members and local residents excavated a hole approximately one meter deep and two m wide around the brick Rudi discovered. The dig revealed more bricks arranged in what appears to be a tiered stone base.
Some of the bricks are believed to contain andesite, a volcanic rock commonly used in the construction of ancient temples in Java. One brick was also found to have markings that resemble ancient Javanese script.
Rudi said he contacted PPBI immediately after finding the brick because several ancient artifacts, such as clayware and statues, had previously been found in the village.
He said that in 2023, he discovered two bricks believed to be part of an ancient temple structure. The following year, he also uncovered what appeared to be the foundation of a similar temple structure.
He reported the findings to local authorities in Malang, and several archaeologists were sent to inspect the site. However, no further excavation has been carried out to date.
PPBI member Aulia Akbar said the structure discovered by Rudi last week is suspected to be part of a temple dating back to the Medang Kingdom, specifically during the reign of Mpu Sindok, around 929 to 949 CE.
'However, we don't have the authority to conduct a full excavation. Our role is limited to cleaning, safeguarding and preserving ancient relics,' he said.
The Medang Kingdom, also known as Hindu Mataram, was a powerful ancient kingdom founded by Raka I Mataram Sang Ratu Sanjaya on Oct 6, 732 CE. It lasted until the 11th century and left behind a plethora of archaeological remains across Central and East Java, including more than 150 temples.
Among its most renowned legacies is the Borobudur Temple in Magelang Regency, Central Java. Recognised by Unesco as one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world, Borobudur was designated a World Heritage Site in 1991.
Mpu Sindok is known for relocating the seat of the Medang Kingdom from Mataram, in present-day Yogyakarta, to an ancient city named Tamwlang, in East Java.
However, archaeologists remain divided on the exact location of Tamwlang, with some estimating it was in modern-day Jombang Regency, while others believing it was in present-day Malang Regency.
Some archaeologists argue that the move was motivated by East Java's more favouable geographical conditions, including the presence of the Brantas River, which offered better economic prospects for the kingdom.
Others theorise that a Mount Merapi eruption and internal power struggles prompted the relocation of the royal capital.
Head of the Malang Tourism Agency, Purwoto, said that a thorough investigation by cultural heritage experts from the East Java Cultural Heritage Preservation Center (BPK) is needed to verify whether the structure found in Landungsari Village is indeed an ancient temple.
'We cannot conduct excavations or make determinations about the site ourselves. That responsibility lies solely with the BPK, and we are currently awaiting their assessment and further instructions,' he said.
Purwoto expressed hope that the BPK would promptly investigate the site, noting that the Malang Tourism Agency has reported several suspected archaeological findings in Landungsari Village since 2023.
However, the BPK has yet to conduct a full excavation or thorough research on these discoveries. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
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