Gunung Padang in Indonesia.
Thoseiconic structuresrise above the sands to remind viewers of ancient days.
However,other ancient culturesbuilt pyramid structures too, including the Mayans.
Gunung Padang in Indonesia. (Photo: RaiyaniM viaWikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED)
But an underground example known as Gunung Padang may take the prize for the oldest pyramid structure.
Recent estimates published inArcheological Prospectionsuggest Gunung Padang’s construction began at least 16,000 years ago.
The hill in Indonesia is a form ofpunden berundak, or stepped pyramid.
The elaborate stonework of Gunung Padang. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED)
Each terrace is bordered by volcanic rock columns.
A central stairway consists of 370 steps.
Geologists and archeologists have spent years trying to understand the history of the earthen pyramid.
Studying the site. (Photo:Natawidjaja et al.)
At its base is a layer of rock that was once lava released in a volcanic explosion.
The new paper postulates that between 25,000 and 14,000 BCE a layer was added to sculpt the structure.
The top soil and terraces were completed from 6000 to 5500 BCE.
Studying the site. (Photo:Natawidjaja et al.)
Yet these intermediary sections of work turned out to be more architecturally complex than previously thought.
Seismic testing of the mound reveals interior chambers and passages with high ceilings and ample space.
These chambers echo those on other megalithic structures, and are the next subject of investigation for researchers.
The plan is to drill downwards and lower small cameras to investigate.
This ancient megalith was created over thousands of years.
The elaborate stonework of Gunung Padang.
(Photo:Natawidjaja et al.)
