High Day Megalithic Site

Historiographical Origins and Periodization

The High Day Megalithic Site is estimated to originate from a dynamic megalithic tradition that developed between 1,000 and 3,000 years ago. Unlike the static megaliths in other regions which tend to be simple, the relics at High Day show a strong influence from the "undagian" period or metal age. This periodization is marked by the skill of ancient carvers in shaping andesite stone into highly detailed and expressive figures.

Historically, this site is part of the Pasemah (Basemah) culture. Archaeologists believe that the society supporting this culture had a complex and organized social structure. The presence of large statues at High Day indicates a well-established leadership system, where these artifacts were likely built as a form of respect to ancestors or deceased tribal chiefs.

Architectural Style and Construction Details

The main characteristic of the High Day Site is its dynamic and naturalistic carving style. Unlike the rigid geometric menhirs or dolmens in Europe, the artifacts at High Day display organic forms. One of the masterpieces at this site is the "Statue of a Man Coiled by a Snake" and the "Statue of a Person Holding an Elephant."

The construction of these statues uses large andesite stones carved with high technique. Details on the faces, such as bulging eyes, thick lips, and wide ears, show the physical characteristics of a specific race or symbolize spiritual power. Besides statues, at the High Day complex, Lumpang Batu (stone mortars), Dolmens (stone tables), and Bilik Batu (stone burial chambers) are also found. The stone chambers at this location have their own uniqueness because their inner walls are often decorated with colored paintings (polychrome) using natural pigments of red, black, and yellow, depicting geometric patterns or human figures.

Historical Significance and Related Events

The High Day Site plays a key role in understanding the migration of ancient humans in Southeast Asia. The discovery of artifacts resembling bronze nekara (kettledrums) on stone reliefs indicates interaction between the local Basemah culture and the Dong Son culture from North Vietnam. This proves that the people of High Day in the past were not isolated, but were part of a regional trade and cultural exchange network.

One of the important historical events associated with this site is the research conducted by Van der Hoop in 1932. The Dutch archaeologist documented the site in depth in his book "Megalithic Remains in South Sumatra." His research opened the eyes of the international world to the fact that South Sumatra possessed one of the most advanced megalithic civilizations in the world, comparable to the megalithic cultures on Easter Island or Stonehenge in terms of artistic value.

Figures and Cultural Periodization

Although the names of individuals from the site's construction period are not recorded in written tradition, the collective memory of the local community (oral tradition) often associates the existence of these stones with the legendary figure "Si Pahit Lidah" (The Bitter Tongue). In local mythology, these statues are believed to be humans or animals cursed to turn into stone by the magical power of this figure. However, scientifically, the figures represented in these statues are believed to be clan leaders, warriors, or shamans who held important roles in the megalithic religious structure.

The cultural periodization at High Day also indicates a transitional phase. Statues wearing war gear such as helmets and swords suggest that at that time, the society had already known metal technology and might have been frequently involved in inter-tribal conflicts or territorial defense efforts.

Cultural and Religious Functions

For the ancient people of High Day, this site served as a center for sacred activities. The dolmens and stone mortars found there were not just functional tools, but also means for ceremonies to worship ancestral spirits (ancestor worship). The community believed that ancestral spirits resided in high places and large stones.

This site also functioned as a marker of social status. Only elite families or groups could mobilize labor to carve and move giant stones weighing hundreds of kilograms from the river to the hilltop. Therefore, High Day can be considered a "monument of glory" for the clans that once dominated the Lahat region in the past.

Conservation Status and Preservation Efforts

Currently, the High Day Megalithic Site is under the supervision of the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region VI. Although it has been designated as a Cultural Heritage Site, preservation challenges remain, especially concerning natural factors such as moss, stone weathering, and vandalism.

Restoration efforts have been carried out gradually, including the construction of shelters (protective roofs) for several main statues to avoid damage from acid rain and direct sunlight. The Lahat Regency government has also begun to promote the site as an educational historical tourism destination. The awareness of the local community in High Day Village is also increasing, as they participate in maintaining the security of the site for the preservation of their ancestral heritage.

Unique Facts and Conclusion

One of the unique facts about the High Day Site is the position of its statues, which always face Mount Dempo. This indicates deep astronomical knowledge and cosmological beliefs, where Mount Dempo is considered the sacred axis of the world. Furthermore, the "bas-relief" carving technique found here is considered one of the oldest and most difficult of its time, suggesting that the ancient artists of High Day had understood three-dimensional perspective before the influence of Hindu-Buddhist entered the archipelago.

The High Day Megalithic Site is a silent witness to the grandeur of past civilizations that were able to harmonize humans, nature, and spirituality. Through these silent stones, we are invited to understand the roots of national identity, which possessed high standards of aesthetics and social organization thousands of years ago. Preserving High Day means preserving the collective memory of the glory of South Sumatra's history.