The greatest mystery of the archipelago remains unsolved to this day

As an island nation with a civilisation spanning thousands of years, Indonesia holds countless mysterious relics of the Archipelago. From Sabang to Merauke, every region has its own stories—whether unresolved legends of the Archipelago, unexplained phenomena in Indonesia, or mysterious cases in Indonesia in the modern era. We will present these not as mere folklore, but with analysis based on the latest research, including archaeological data and documented evidence. This way, we can critically distinguish myths and facts of the Archipelago, while appreciating the complexity of our homeland’s history.

Gunung Padang Megalithic Site: The Prehistoric Civilisation Puzzle That Shook the World

As one of the most controversial archaeological mysteries of the Archipelago, the Gunung Padang site in Cianjur is far more than just a pile of stones. Georadar research and core drilling have revealed layered structures estimated to be 10,000–20,000 years old—far older than the Pyramids of Giza. The key historical riddle of Indonesia here is: Who built it, and how could Ice Age technology create a 25-hectare complex atop a hill? Archaeologists are divided; some believe it is evidence of a lost advanced civilisation, while others question the dating methodology. The site’s complexity is seen in the neatly arranged hexagonal basalt andesite columns—a type of rock only found deep on volcanic slopes. This greatest unsolved mystery of the Archipelago is reinforced by the discovery of large hollow chambers 15–25 metres underground using ground-penetrating radar. Are these ceremonial halls, royal tombs, or something even more spectacular? The government continues limited excavations, but budget constraints and academic debates hinder significant progress. …