Tegur Wangi Megalithic Site

Traces of High Civilization at the Foot of Mount Dempo: Tegur Wangi Megalithic Site

Situs Megalithic Tegur Wangi stands as one of the most authentic and magnificent proofs of the prehistoric civilization that once flourished in the Basemah highlands of Pagar Alam, South Sumatra. Located in Kelurahan Pagar Wangi, Kecamatan Dempo Utara, this site is not merely a pile of ancient stones, but a complex of settlements and worship that reflects the technical intelligence and spiritual depth of past humans.

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Historical Origins and Periodization of the Basemah Megalithic Era

Chronologically, the Tegur Wangi Site is believed to originate from the Metal Age or the Late Megalithic period, around 2,000 to 3,000 years ago. Although named the megalithic (large stone) era, the civilization in Tegur Wangi shows an interesting transition, where its people already knew bronze and iron technology to carve extremely hard andesite stone with a high degree of precision.

The construction of this site is closely related to the thriving agricultural culture in the valley of Mount Dempo. The ancestors of the Basemah people built these monuments as part of their animistic and dynamic belief system, where reverence for ancestral spirits was the main axis of their social and religious life.

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Architecture and Construction Details: Aesthetics on Andesite Stone

The main characteristic of the Tegur Wangi Site lies in its dynamic and expressive architectural style, which differs from the static megalithic styles in other regions. At this site, visitors can find various types of stone artifacts scattered across the residents' rice fields and plantations.

1. Statue of a Man Coiled by a Snake: This is the most famous icon of Tegur Wangi. The statue depicts a human figure with strong facial features—bulging eyes, thick lips, and a sturdy body—struggling with or being coiled by a large snake. The detail of this carving shows that the artists of that time had an extraordinary understanding of anatomy.

2. Stone Cists: Tegur Wangi has several stone cists buried underground. Unlike ordinary stone coffins, the stone cists here often have painted walls (polychrome) on their interiors, using natural pigments like red and black to depict geometric or figurative patterns.

3. Dolmens and Menhirs: There are large stone tables (dolmens) supported by several supporting stones. These structures were used as places to place offerings or as seats for tribal leaders during ritual ceremonies.

4. Tetraliths: Arrangements of four upright stones forming a square formation, believed to be the foundations of ancient stilt houses or sacred areas for specific initiations.

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Historical Significance and Related Events

The Tegur Wangi Site provides a specific picture of the social stratification of ancient societies in South Sumatra. The presence of statues with specific attributes indicates the existence of an established leadership system (chiefdom). One unique fact is the depiction of clothing and jewelry on the statues, such as anklets and head coverings, which proves that the people of Tegur Wangi already had a complex clothing culture.

Historically, the Pagar Alam region was a meeting point for ancient human migration routes on the island of Sumatra. Tegur Wangi serves as evidence that this region was not just a transit point, but a cultural center where stone carving techniques reached their peak (High Megalithic Culture).

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Connection to Important Figures and Periods

Although it does not record individual figures in written texts (as it belongs to the prehistoric era), the Tegur Wangi Site is often associated with the legend of "Sipahit Lidah" or Serunting Sakti in local oral traditions. Local communities believe that these stones are humans or animals cursed to become stone. Academically, this site first attracted international attention through Van der Hoop's research in 1932 in his book "Megalithic Remains in South Sumatra". This research placed Tegur Wangi and the Basemah region as one of the best megalithic sites in the world, alongside sites on Easter Island or Stonehenge.

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Cultural and Religious Importance

For the modern Basemah people, Tegur Wangi is a symbol of the "Jeme Pasemah" identity. Religiously, this site is a manifestation of the concept of ancestral spirit worship. The placement of statues always facing the peak of Mount Dempo was not without reason; the mountain was considered a sacred place where gods and ancestral spirits resided. Fertility and warding-off-evil rituals in the past were performed around the dolmens at this site, creating a spiritual bond between humans, nature, and the creator.

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Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

Currently, the Tegur Wangi Megalithic Site is under the protection of the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region VI. Its status as a National Cultural Heritage guarantees that every artifact in this area is protected by law.

Restoration efforts have been carried out several times, especially in cleaning moss that can damage the pores of the andesite stone, and fencing the area to prevent vandalism. The main challenge in preserving this site is its location in the middle of land owned by residents. However, the local government of Pagar Alam is now beginning to integrate the Tegur Wangi Site into an educational and historical tourism concept to increase public awareness of the importance of preserving this world heritage.

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Unique Facts about Tegur Wangi Site

One rarely known fact is that the statues at Tegur Wangi share an artistic style similar to the Dong Son culture from North Vietnam, especially in the depiction of warriors and the use of weapons. This indicates that thousands of years ago, the inhabitants of Tegur Wangi were already involved in a vast network of transoceanic trade and cultural exchange.

Situs Megalithic Tegur Wangi is not just a silent artifact. It is a visual narrative of past glory, of skilled hands that conquered stone, and of souls that always honored their ancestral roots under the majestic shadow of Mount Dempo.