Pugung Raharjo Ancient Site

Pugung Raharjo Ancient Site: Traces of Civilizational Continuity in East Lampung

Pugung Raharjo Ancient Site is one of the most unique and significant archaeological complexes in Indonesia. Located in Pugung Raharjo Village, Sekampung Udik District, East Lampung Regency, this site stands as tangible proof of a rarely interrupted cultural continuity, spanning from the prehistoric era (Megalithic), through the period of Hindu-Buddhist influence, to the arrival of Islamic influence. The site, covering approximately 30 hectares, is surrounded by an iconic earthen rampart, creating a stunning historical landscape amidst local plantations.

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Discovery History and Origins

The discovery of this site occurred accidentally in 1957 by transmigrants who were clearing forest land. The transmigrant group, led by Barnaba Saplo, a local resident, found an unusual arrangement of large stones and earth mounds. This initial finding was then reported to the archaeological service, which immediately conducted intensive research starting in 1973 by the Institute of Archaeology and National Heritage (now the National Archaeology Center).

Chronologically, Pugung Raharjo is estimated to have been inhabited from the 1st to the 16th century AD. The primary uniqueness of this site lies in its chronological "syncretism"; where relics from the great stone age (Megalithic) continued to be used and developed even when its people had already embraced Indian (Hindu-Buddhist) culture and Islamic influence from the Sultanate of Banten.

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Architecture and Construction Details

The architecture of Pugung Raharjo is dominated by the use of local materials such as andesite stone and earth. The most prominent structure is the Tiered Mound (Punden Berundak). There are several mounds in this complex, the largest of which has multiple tiers symbolizing reverence for ancestral spirits. The shape of these mounds reflects the original sacred building structures of the Nusantara before the influence of Indian temple architecture.

Besides the mounds, another unique characteristic is the presence of Moated Ramparts (Benteng Parit). There are two layers of earthen ramparts (Outer Rampart and Inner Rampart) with a total length reaching thousands of meters. Between these earth mounds, there are moats that were likely filled with water in the past. The function of these ramparts was dual: as a military defense system against external attacks and as a drainage or irrigation system for the settlement area within.

Within the complex, Batu Mayat (Corpse Stone) was also found, a megalithic stone formation arranged to resemble a person lying down, as well as Batu Berlubang (Holed Stone) and Menhirs which served as facilities for worship ceremonies.

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Historical Significance and Cultural Periods

Pugung Raharjo Site serves as a crucial historical laboratory because it unites three major periods in one location:

1. Megalithic Era: Characterized by the presence of menhirs, dolmens, and tiered mounds. This indicates that early societies in East Lampung had a sufficiently advanced social organization to build large monumental structures.

2. Hindu-Buddhist Era: The discovery of a Bodhisattva statue and the Dalung Inscription suggests that this site was once a center of religious activities or at least had trade and political connections with major kingdoms in Java and Sumatra (such as Srivijaya).

3. Islamic Era: The discovery of Aceh-type tombstones and ceramic artifacts from the Ming and Sung dynasties indicates that Pugung Raharjo remained an active settlement center until the spread of Islam through the Sunda Strait trade routes.

One unique fact is the discovery of a Polynesian Statue, which exhibits strong local artistic characteristics, distinguishing it from the classical statue styles found in Central or East Java.

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Related Figures and Events

Although no specific written records of kings who ruled Pugung Raharjo have been found, archaeologists believe that this site was the center of a small, independent local kingdom or chiefdom that had extensive maritime connections. The relationship with the Sultanate of Banten across the Sunda Strait is strongly felt in the younger cultural layers, where Pugung Raharjo played a role as a supplier of the highly valuable pepper commodity at that time.

The presence of objects from China, Thailand, and Vietnam at this site proves that the people of Pugung Raharjo were a cosmopolitan entity. They were not isolated in the interior of Lampung but were an important part of the global trade network in the archipelago.

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Religious and Cultural Importance

For ancient Lampung people, Pugung Raharjo was a sacred place. The tiered mounds functioned as a medium of communication between the human world and the world of ancestral spirits. The water flowing in the moats around the ramparts was also believed to have sacred value. Even today, a location known as the Eternal Youth Spring (Sumber Air Awet Muda) within the site complex is often visited by tourists who believe it possesses spiritual properties.

Culturally, this site reflects the concept of an "Open Air Museum." The layout of the buildings, following the natural contours, demonstrates local wisdom in managing the living environment, where they built civilization without massively damaging the forest ecosystem.

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Preservation and Restoration Efforts

The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Education and Culture, has consistently carried out restoration from 1977 to 1984. The restoration focused on strengthening the structure of the tiered mounds and clearing the earthen rampart areas to prevent erosion. Currently, the Pugung Raharjo Ancient Site is managed by the Cultural Heritage Preservation Center (BPK) Region VII.

The main challenge in preserving this site is its integration with the surrounding agricultural land of the residents. However, the community of Pugung Raharjo Village has a very high awareness of the importance of this historical heritage, so the site remains protected from vandalism or artifact theft. A small museum (Information House) has been built on-site to store small artifacts such as ceramic fragments, beads, and ancient coins found in the area.

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Unique Fact Conclusion

Pugung Raharjo Ancient Site is a beautiful historical anomaly. Here, we can see how an earthen defense rampart built thousands of years ago still stands strong, alongside serene Buddha statues and ancient megaliths. This site is not just a pile of stones, but a historical manuscript written on the land of Lampung, telling of the resilience, religiosity, and openness of a civilization to the changes of time. As one of the most complete megalithic sites in Indonesia, Pugung Raharjo remains a source of pride for the people of East Lampung and an inexhaustible source of knowledge.