The Menoreh Hill has a wealth of archeological heritage dating back to the ancient era of the Mataram Kingdom. In their pledge to preserve history, many villagers aim to protect these artefacts.
By
REGINA RUKMORINI / KRISTI DWI UTAMI / HARIS FIRDAUS / GREGORIUS FINESSO
·5 minutes read
The Menoreh Hill has a wealth of archeological heritage dating back to the ancient era of the Mataram Kingdom. Much of it can still be found today. In their pledge to preserve history, many villagers aim to protect these artefacts.
One afternoon in early 2015, farmer Abdul Ghofir of Banyuwangi village, Bandongan district, Magelang, Central Java, was shocked when the wheels of his tractor hit something hard. When he got down from his vehicle, he saw a huge, round and flat rock. It was 80 centimeters wide and 40 centimeters thick. He immediately reported his finding to the village administration.
“At the time, we were not surprised to hear the news. Near the location where Pak Ghofir found the umpak [a stone foundation for a building’s pillar], we had found yoni and nandi (cow sculptures),” said Banyuwangi village secretary Abdul Cholik, one day in mid-October 2019.
Ancient stone artefacts have been found in Banyuwangi village since the 1980s. Other than in rice fields, artefacts have also been found in house yards and cemeteries. Some are buried underground. The Borobudur Conservation Agency believed that Banyuwangi village had been part of an ancient Hindu place of worship.
Perhaps someone had wanted to take them but were either not strong enough or got caught
At first, the artefacts were left where they were found. Consequently, many are missing or damaged. “Some used to be complete and then parts went missing. Some were moved. Perhaps someone had wanted to take them but were either not strong enough or got caught,” Cholik said.
A few days after the umpak’s finding, it was decided in a village meeting that the stone artefacts – believed to be from the Ancient Mataram era in the 7th century – were to be brought to the village hall. Villagers worked together to carry the stones with barrows or pickup trucks. Other than protecting them from thieves, the villagers hoped this would preserve them better.
After placing the stones in one room at the Banyuwangi village office, the stones were moved outside due to renovations in 2018. At the end of this year, all the artefacts will be stored in a special room in front of the village office. “We allocate Rp 20 million [US$1,420.46] from the village fund to build rooms to store the 13 cultural heritage artifacts,” Cholik said.
Ali Wahadi, 48, of Sangubanyu hamlet, Banyuwangi village, said that he was used to seeing huge rocks and temple stones laying around the village. “Children play around the rocks all the time. However, no one dares to take the rocks,” he said.
He said that, if the stones were stolen or damaged, he was sure it would not be by locals. However, he said the stones were not preserved well when they are neglected in rice fields. Farmers often use them to sharpen their sickles or machetes, damaging the stones. Some water fountain parts of the yoni are also cut off.
The Banyuwangi village administration is committed to preserving the stones and not allowing anyone to purchase them. Apart from using them as the village’s icons, the stones are used as tools for history education. In the past year, many students and history enthusiasts have come to see the local cultural heritage artefacts.
“We will preserve the stones as village assets,” Cholik said.
Poor understanding
Despite living side by side with the Borobudur temple, one of the world’s most famous historical heritage sites, people in Magelang have a poor understanding of how to preserve archeological artefacts. Former Tanjungsari village head Darto of Borobudur regency said that he was involved in building houses using ancient stones as foundations in 1992.
“The stones were split into pieces and used as additional foundation stones for houses. At the time, we did not know that the stones were protected,” he said.
Tirto villager Suparmadi, 50, of Salam district in Magelang regency said that findings of stone artefacts were common in his village. However, not everyone understands that the ancient stones are protected.
Therefore, after finding them, locals often bring the stones home and fix them haphazardly. “Many damaged ancient sculptures are fixed with cement,” he said.
Despite their imperfections, the stones are ancestral heritage and legacies of the nation’s cultural history.
Tirto village secretary Fatkhurohmad said that the village administration had sought to place several found artifacts in the village hall since 2007. Ancient artifacts such as lingga, yoni and several sculptures are now stored behind the village office. Locals prepared the site by installing paving blocks and making a cloth shelter.
Findings of the ancient stones have been reported to the Magelang regency administration. After data collection and verification, some were kept for preservation by the village administration. Locals are sometimes reluctant to take the stones in as they are incomplete.
Borobudur Conservation Body head Tri Hartono said that locals had been told to report findings of temple stones around the village. However, he said that not all the findings could be preserved due to limited space.
Despite the limitations, the locals’ pledge to preserve the ancient stones must be appreciated. Despite their imperfections, the stones are ancestral heritage and legacies of the nation’s cultural history.