Kerang Hill

Historical Origins and Formation Period

Bukit Kerang, technically referred to in archaeology as Kjokkenmoddinger (from Danish: kjokken meaning kitchen and modding meaning trash), was formed around 5,000 to 7,000 years ago. This site is the accumulation of shells (Mollusca) and snail remains consumed by prehistoric humans who lived on the east coast of Sumatra.

During that period, the coastline of Aceh Tamiang was much further inland compared to its current condition. The human groups supporting this culture lived semi-sedentary lives, settling on the coast or river mouths to utilize marine resources. Over thousands of years, the centralized disposal of food waste in one spot led to the formation of small hills that hardened and fossilized through natural calcification.

Physical Characteristics and Natural Construction Details

Visually, Bukit Kerang in Aceh Tamiang has a unique structure. Unlike historical sites made of cement or brick buildings, the "architecture" of Bukit Kerang is composed of millions of shells from the Meretrix-meretrix (clam) and Anadara granosa (ark shell) species. The height of this hill was initially estimated to be several meters, but due to material extraction by the community in the past for building materials or lime, its size has now diminished.

The soil structure around the site shows interesting stratigraphy. Layers of shells alternate with humus soil and river sediment, indicating repeated phases of habitation. The uniqueness of this natural construction lies in the density of shells that have merged with the soil to form a very solid formation, capable of withstanding weather erosion for millennia.

Historical Significance and Archaeological Findings

The Bukit Kerang site holds high urgency in the chronology of Nusantara's history as it demonstrates the transition of human lifestyles from hunting-gathering to a more settled way of life. This site proves that the coast of Aceh Tamiang was one of the initial points of human migration in Southeast Asia.

At this location, archaeologists have found not only shells but also other important artifacts such as:

1. Pebble (Sumatran Handaxe): Stone tools flaked on one side, characteristic of the Hoabinhian culture.

2. Mortar and Pestle: Stone grinding tools used to crush seeds or pigments (hematite).

3. Bone Remains: Fragments of land animal bones indicating that the human diet at the time was not limited to seafood.

The presence of these objects confirms that Bukit Kerang was not just a waste disposal site, but also an area of social activity, tool-making, and a center of prehistoric community interaction.

Related Figures and Periodization: Hoabinhian Culture

The Bukit Kerang site in Aceh Tamiang is closely associated with the Hoabinhian cultural tradition originating from Northern Vietnam. Prehistorians like P.V. van Stein Callenfels, who pioneered the research of Kjokkenmoddinger on the coast of Sumatra in the 1920s, identified that the humans inhabiting this region had physical characteristics of the Australomelanesid race.

The existence of this site places Aceh Tamiang on the world's historical map as an important migration route for ancient humans from mainland Asia to the Nusantara archipelago and continuing to Australia. This period serves as a historical bridge before the influence of the Neolithic culture, which brought agriculture and finer pottery making traditions.

Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

Currently, the Bukit Kerang Site has been designated as a Cultural Heritage Site under the supervision of the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region I. Preservation efforts face significant challenges as the site is located in palm oil plantation areas belonging to the community and companies.

The Aceh Tamiang Regency Government, along with the Archaeological Center, has undertaken efforts to fence and build protective roofs over the remaining mounds to prevent further damage from weather and vandalism. Restoration in the context of this site is more about preventive conservation, which is maintaining the authenticity of the shell mounds to prevent further degradation. Education for the local community is continuously promoted so they understand that this "trash hill" is an invaluable world heritage.

Cultural Importance and Local Identity

For the people of Aceh Tamiang, Bukit Kerang is a symbol of geographical and historical identity. This site serves as a reminder that their region has been inhabited for thousands of years before the establishment of great kingdoms in Aceh. Culturally, this site is often an object of research for students and academics, as well as a historical tourist destination offering a different perspective on the origins of the Indonesian ancestors.

Although it does not possess religious aspects like ancient sites in the form of temples or mosques, Bukit Kerang holds a "prehistoric spirituality" about how humans respected nature. Their consumption patterns and how they utilized marine resources without depleting them offer ecological lessons relevant to this day.

Unique Historical Facts

One unique fact about Bukit Kerang in Aceh Tamiang is the discovery of red pigment (ochre) remains on some stone tools. This indicates that the people of Bukit Kerang already understood aesthetics or certain rituals, where pigments were used to decorate their bodies or tools. Furthermore, the high calcium density at this site makes the surrounding soil very fertile, which indirectly influences the unique vegetation growing around the site compared to the surrounding palm oil plantations.

Bukit Kerang in Aceh Tamiang stands as a silent witness to human resilience in adapting to coastal environments. Preserving this site means preserving the first pages in the long history book of civilization in the land of Aceh and Nusantara.