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 tales—whether unresolved legends of the Archipelago, unexplained phenomena in Indonesia, or mysterious cases in Indonesia in the modern era. We present them not as mere folklore, but with analysis based on the latest research, including archaeological data and documented testimonies. This way, we can more critically distinguish myths and facts of the Archipelago, while appreciating the complexity of our national 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 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 complexity of the site 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 strengthened by the discovery of large empty chambers 15–25 metres deep using ground-penetrating radar. Are these ceremonial halls, royal tombs, or something even more spectacular? The government continues limited excavations, but budget constraints and scientific debates have hindered significant progress. …