Goa Liang Bangkai

Exploring Traces of Prehistoric Civilization in Goa Liang Bangkai, Tanah Bumbu

Goa Liang Bangkai is not just a magnificent karst rock formation amidst the lush tropical forests of South Kalimantan. Located in Dukuh Rejo Village, Mantewe District, Tanah Bumbu Regency, this site is one of the most significant archaeological proofs in Indonesia, holding a long narrative about human migration, prehistoric settlement patterns, and ancient burial rituals from thousands of years ago.

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Origin and Historical Periodization

Geologically, Goa Liang Bangkai was formed through the dissolution of limestone (karstification) over millions of years. However, as a human settlement site, its traces began to be detected in the Holocene period. Based on archaeological research conducted by the Banjarmasin Archaeology Center (now part of BRIN), this cave is estimated to have been inhabited by prehistoric humans from 3,000 to 5,000 years ago.

The name "Liang Bangkai" itself originates from the local language, where Liang means cave and Bangkai literally means corpse or carcass. This name did not arise without reason; it refers to the discovery of human and animal bone remains inside the cave by local residents long before formal research was conducted. This site is part of the Meratus mountain range, which serves as a fortress of biodiversity and a silent witness to the dawn of civilization on Borneo.

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Characteristics of Natural Architecture and Site Morphology

Unlike human-made historical sites, the "architecture" of Goa Liang Bangkai is naturally formed with a structure highly conducive to being a place of shelter. The complex consists of a network of interconnected small caves, each with unique characteristics. Some parts of the cave have ceilings as high as 20 meters with active stalactites and stalagmites.

The wide cave entrance allows sunlight to penetrate the bright zone, which in the past was used for daily activities such as cooking and stone tool making. Meanwhile, the inner or dark zone of the cave was used for more sacred functions or as a final resting place. The cave floor is covered by a layer of soil sediment rich in organic material, which serves as a natural "archive" for archaeologists to unearth past artifacts.

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Historical Significance and Archaeological Discoveries

Goa Liang Bangkai plays a vital role in understanding the distribution of ancient humans in Southeast Asia. One of the most spectacular discoveries at this site is an ancient human skeleton found in a flexed burial position. This burial pattern is a characteristic of pre-Austronesian and early Austronesian cultures in the archipelago.

In addition to human skeletons, various other important artifacts were also found, including:

1. Stone Tools (Lithic): Such as flakes and blades used for cutting meat or processing animal hides.

2. Pottery (Gerabah): Fragments of pottery with incised decorations and cord-marked impressions, indicating the advancement of clay firing technology at that time.

3. Faunal Remains: Bones of wild boars, deer, and monkeys, indicating consumption patterns and the types of fauna that lived around the Meratus Mountains thousands of years ago.

4. Cave Wall Paintings: In several spots, traces of pictographs or red wall paintings using ocher pigment were found. These paintings often depict abstract symbols or hand stencils related to ancient animistic belief systems.

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Figures and Connection to Austronesian Migration

Research at Goa Liang Bangkai is often linked to the theory of the great Austronesian migration, which moved from Taiwan towards the Philippines, then entered Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Archaeologists like Harry Widianto have made significant contributions in mapping Liang Bangkai's position in Indonesia's prehistoric chronology. This site proves that the interior of Kalimantan was not just an empty wilderness, but an important corridor for the movement of ancient humans who possessed intelligence in adapting to the karst environment.

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Cultural and Religious Meaning

For the local community, especially the Dayak people residing around the Meratus Mountains, Goa Liang Bangkai is considered a place of high spiritual value. This cave is seen as a link between the human world and the world of ancestral spirits. Although the majority of the surrounding population has now embraced formal religions, respect for this site is maintained through local wisdom that prohibits the destruction of rock formations or the removal of items from within the cave without permission.

Some parts of the cave are sacred and often used as places for meditation or specific traditional ceremonies at special times in the local community's calendar. This creates a unique blend of archaeological scientific value and cultural sacredness.

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Conservation Status and Restoration Efforts

Currently, Goa Liang Bangkai has been designated as a Cultural Heritage Site by the Tanah Bumbu Regency Government. Preservation efforts are carried out through supervision by caretakers responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and security of the site from vandalism.

The local government has also begun to develop this area as a historical and educational tourism destination (geo-tourism). The construction of supporting facilities such as access stairs, lighting on the main path, and an information center is done without damaging the physical integrity of the cave. The main challenges in preserving this site are humidity control and preventing damage to the cave wall paintings due to human touch or moss growth.

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Unique Fact: An Endless Natural Laboratory

A unique fact about Goa Liang Bangkai is its underground connectivity system. To this day, not all cave passages have been perfectly mapped. Cave explorers (cavers) and researchers frequently discover new chambers that still hold mysteries. Furthermore, this site is also home to a large bat colony, whose guano contributes to the fertility of the soil in the surrounding area, creating a unique ecosystem among the arid limestone cliffs.

In conclusion, Goa Liang Bangkai is a historical gem of Tanah Bumbu that offers more than just natural scenery. It is an open history book that tells how the ancestors of the Indonesian nation survived, interacted with nature, and respected death. Through sustainable preservation, Liang Bangkai will continue to be a window for future generations to glimpse their civilizational roots on the land of Kalimantan.