Situs Perahu Batu Sangliat Dol

Traces of Megalithic Civilization: The Sangliat Dol Stone Boat Site in the Tanimbar Islands

Situs Perahu Batu Sangliat Dol is one of the most prominent megalithic monuments in the Tanimbar Islands, Maluku. Located in Sangliat Dol Village, Wertamrian District, Tanimbar Islands Regency, this site is not merely an ancient pile of stones, but a physical manifestation of the deep-seated life philosophy of the Tanimbar people. This structure is shaped like a giant boat made from natural stone arrangements, symbolizing the spiritual journey, social structure, and migration history of the local ancestors.

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Historical Origins and Formation Period

Historically, the Situs Perahu Batu Sangliat Dol is believed to have existed for hundreds of years, rooted in the megalithic traditions that flourished in Eastern Indonesia. Although specific carbon dating is often difficult for stone materials without organic remains, archaeologists place this site as part of the ancestor worship tradition that peaked long before the influence of Abrahamic religions entered the Southeast Maluku region.

The existence of this stone boat is closely related to the migration legends of the Tanimbar ancestors. According to local oral tradition, their predecessors arrived on the island using large wooden boats after a perilous sea journey. To commemorate their successful landing and establish the foundation of a new social order, they built stone replicas of boats as a place for customary meetings (Natat) and as centers for worshipping the ancestral spirits who guided their journey.

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Architecture and Construction Details

The main uniqueness of the Situs Perahu Batu Sangliat Dol lies in its resemblance to traditional boats. The structure is approximately 12-15 meters long and 4-5 meters wide. Its construction uses the dry stone walling technique, arranging stones without using cement or modern adhesives. Carefully selected coral and river stones were then arranged to form a sturdy boat hull.

In the center of this "boat" is a flat platform that served as a seating area or stage. At one end (the bow), there is a higher stone arrangement symbolizing the rudder or the place for the highest leader. Surrounding the stone boat are small menhirs or standing stones, symbolizing the number of clans or large families who had a voice in village decision-making. The stone steps leading up to the site are also precisely built, creating an imposing impression for anyone ascending to the boat.

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Historical Significance and Related Events

This site served as the social gravity center for the Sangliat Dol community. Historically, this stone boat was used as a departure and arrival point for warriors returning from inter-village battles in the past. Each stone placed in this structure has symbolic meaning related to specific clans (soa).

One unique fact is the site's role as a "customary court." In the past, land disputes, violations of social norms, and the determination of defense strategies were discussed on this stone boat. Decisions made on this site were considered sacred and final because they were witnessed by the spirits of the ancestors. The stone boat also serves as evidence of the engineering capabilities of the ancient Tanimbar people in transforming natural materials into monuments resistant to the extreme weather of the archipelago.

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Figures and Social Structure

Within the Sangliat Dol customary structure, this stone boat reflects a leadership system called Menduwar. Not just anyone could sit in specific positions on this stone boat. The front (bow) was typically reserved for the highest customary leader or Rat, while the rear (stern) was occupied by guards or other customary officials.

Figures who led major reconstructions or renovations in the past were often immortalized in small symbols around the site, although individual names often blended into collective memory as "the first ancestors." This site emphasizes that the Tanimbar people had a highly organized traditional democratic system before the influence of Dutch colonial rule.

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Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

Currently, the Situs Perahu Batu Sangliat Dol is under the protection of the Cultural Preservation Center Region XX. As a cultural heritage site, conservation efforts are carried out periodically to prevent damage from natural weathering and moss growth on the stone surfaces. The local community plays a crucial role in this preservation through customary laws that prohibit the removal or relocation of stones from the site.

Major restorations were undertaken by the government to repair some parts of the boat's walls that had collapsed due to age and earthquakes that frequently struck the Maluku region. Although it has undergone repair work, the original form and stone layout have been maintained according to the guidance of the customary elders to preserve its historical and spiritual value.

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Cultural and Religious Significance

For the Sangliat Dol community, this site is not just a tourist attraction or an archaeological relic, but the "soul" of their village. The stone boat symbolizes that the entire village community is in the same "boat" (of one spirit and shared fate). The symbolism of the boat is very strong in Tanimbar culture, where life is considered a voyage on a vast ocean.

Religiously, although the majority of the community has now embraced Christianity, respect for this site has not diminished. Customary ceremonies involving offerings or communal prayers are still frequently held at this location, especially during the Panas Pela ceremony or village festivals. This demonstrates a harmonious cultural syncretism, where ancestral values are still highly upheld as ethnic identity amidst modernity.

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Unique Fact: A Boat That Never Sailed

One unique fact that distinguishes Sangliat Dol from other megalithic sites in Indonesia is the orientation of the boat. This stone boat is built facing the sea, as if ready to be launched back into the ocean. This reflects a longing for their origins and readiness to face future challenges. Furthermore, the stone arrangement at this site is designed to have good acoustics; the voice of a leader speaking on the boat can be clearly heard by the villagers gathered below, a very advanced architectural detail for its time.

The Situs Perahu Batu Sangliat Dol stands strong as a silent witness to the resilience of Tanimbar civilization. It serves as a reminder to younger generations of the importance of unity, respect for history, and local wisdom in maintaining the balance between humans, nature, and their creator. As a potential world heritage site, it continues to attract researchers and tourists eager to delve into the depth of the "boat people" philosophy from Southeast Maluku.