Cianjur (ANTARA) - A team of researchers has uncovered three new findings — stones, terraced structures beside the stairs, and supporting pillars — that point to underground constructions at the Gunung Padang site in Cianjur, West Java.
The team's head, Ali Akbar, said on Monday that after two weeks of fieldwork, they will continue efforts to reveal the mysteries of the prehistoric site, which is believed to be older than Egypt's Pyramids of Giza.
"One of the sources of stones at Gunung Padang comes from Mount Pasir Pogor, located about 5 kilometers from the site. The mountain is composed of rocks, and our team discovered lines forming a rectangle," he explained.
Samples from the mountain will be tested in a laboratory to see if their composition matches the stones at the site.
The elongated pentagonal rocks at Gunung Padang are thought to have formed from volcanic activity millions of years ago.
Earlier studies suggested the stones originated from Ciukir, about 2 kilometers south of the site, but the latest findings show similarities with rocks to the north as well.
"After observations, we found a rocky mountain to the north of the site with stones resembling those at Gunung Padang. Samples have been collected and will be tested, with results expected in three weeks," Akbar said.
The latest research also revealed terraced structures beside the stairs leading to the main terrace. These unique formations, found among trees on flat ground outside the main terrace, suggest that Gunung Padang is a much larger construction, not merely the five terraces visible on the surface.
"In previous studies, we found building structures at a depth of dozens of meters underground, possibly a large chamber. We will try to uncover the truth," he added.
The team also discovered supporting pillars leading to the underground structure, consisting of four elongated stones standing upright and embedded deep in the ground. These are believed to serve as supports for the main structure and reinforcements for the still-buried construction.
"We will continue our research using lidar and other tools so that the mysteries buried here for centuries can be gradually revealed," Akbar said.
