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, each region carries its own tales—whether they are unresolved legends of the Archipelago, unexplained phenomena in Indonesia, or mysterious cases in Indonesia in modern times. We present these not merely as folklore, but with analysis rooted in the latest research, including archaeological data and documented testimonies. This way, we can critically separate myths and facts of the Archipelago, while appreciating the complex history of the nation.

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 a pile of stones. Georadar studies and core drilling revealed layered structures estimated to be 10,000–20,000 years old—far older than the Pyramids of Giza. The main 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 doubt the dating methods. The site’s complexity is evident from neatly arranged hexagonal basalt andesite columns—a type of rock found only deep on volcanic slopes. This greatest unsolved mystery of the Archipelago is reinforced by the discovery of massive empty chambers 15–25 metres deep using ground-penetrating radar. Are these ceremonial halls, royal tombs, or something even more extraordinary? The government continues limited excavations, but budget challenges and scientific debates are stalling major progress. …