Reveals the ancestral trail at Gua Harimau

Gua Harimau (Tiger Cave) which was store very unique heritage. Archaeologists suspected that the cave was once used as a residence and burial place of prehistoric man who lived about 3,000 years ago. At first glance, the Gua Harimau is administratively located in the Padangbindu village, Semidang Aji district, Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) regency, South Sumatra, looks unremarkable.

According to the locals called Gua Harimau, supposedly this cave was once the dwelling of tigers. The cave location is quite hidden on the slopes of karst hills, enclosed by tall trees and full bush close the trail steep to hillside. Underneath, a small river (locals call Aek Kaman Basah) that flows and empties into the River Ogan.

Gua Harimau (Tiger Cave) which was store very unique heritage. Archaeologists suspect the cave was once used as a residence and burial place of prehistoric man who lived about 3,000 years ago. (Picture from: http://nationalgeographic.co.id/)

There is nothing that stands out. Physically, which was distinguishes Gua Harimau with other caves located at the entrance has a very wide size and very high of the ceiling (roof of the cave). At the mouth of the cave, for example, the width between 40 to 50 meters. Once inside the cave, the cave's ceiling looks very high, about 20 to 35 meters. The rest, the condition of the cave mediocre. Temperate stuffy, dark, and very quiet.

However, if we probe further into, Gua Harimau displays an archaeological amazing wealth. Since the first excavation in 2008 until now, the archaeologists have found about 76 human skeletons. This is not just any human remains. According to the study, the skeleton was derived from humans who lived about 3,000 years ago. That means they live in prehistoric times, or when people are not familiar with read-write culture.

The archaeologists team from the National Archaeological Development and Research Center is conducting research in Gua Harimau. (Picture from: http://deliheritageclub.wordpress.com/)

These findings are very interesting, "Giving a new perspective, not only locally, but also nationally and internationally," said Prof Dr Harry Truman Simanjuntak, chairman of the archaeologists team from the National Archaeological Development and Research Center (Pusat Pengembangan dan Penelitian Arkeologi Nasional). "Imagine, there are 76 individuals in a cave, that's astonishing number. Then, there's a massive shelter in this cave that takes place in a time long until thousands of years. Apparently, every year there are exciting new discoveries," said Truman further.

One of the human skeletal remains found in Gua Harimau. (Picture from: http://deliheritageclub.wordpress.com/)

For example, the excavation on the May 2013, there are some additional prehistoric tomb. From the last four tombs which are discovered using folded system, like a baby in the womb. While the previous findings, skeleton in the supine position. The burial type as it was practiced by the Australo-Melanesian race or Melanosoid Australopithecus, who lived from the early Holocene until 4,000 years ago. However, from the cultural data map (layer), it is not the Australo-Melanesian (Papuan ancestors) grave, but from Austronesian speakers. "They're not Australo-Melanesians who inhabit most of our islands before. From physical characteristics, they are our direct ancestors," said Truman.

The Austronesian speakers is a Mongoloid race who first came to Indonesia and growing ever since. Based on the findings obtained so far the oldest, Austronesian speakers began to spread in Indonesia around 3,000 years ago. One of them is the start of the culture of rice farming, and raising pigs, chickens, and dogs. It marked the beginning of an era culture agriculture with the domestication of plants and animals from the wild life into everyday life environment.

Another interesting finding in Gua Harimau is the wall painting. The painting known as the only one found in Sumatra, as long as these are considered that the wall painting was not up to Sumatra. The question is: who was makes the painting? Is the Austronesian speakers or Australo-Melanesians which are their graves location found in the bottom of the cave?

One of the prehistoric wall painting motifs that found in Gua Harimau. (Picture from: http://deliheritageclub.wordpress.com/)

From the hematite (iron oxide minerals in red) that are used in the burial ceremonies and cave wall paintings materials, the findings show cultural layers were Austronesian speakers. Motifs in cave paintings there are also similarities with pottery motifs were found. Pottery is a marker of Austronesian expansion. "With the two similarity, inferred from Austronesian. There's no longer to ensure its painting dating," said Truman. The painting was also a proof of the presence of early Austronesian speakers in the region.

"This finding complements the distribution (data) of early Austronesian speakers," said Truman. Austronesian, which became the forerunner of the Nusantara population, spread from Taiwan. One opinion says, that they spread through the east of Taiwan to the Philippines, then to Kalimantan (Borneo) and Sulawesi, and spreads to three directions: to the east to the Pacific, south to Nusa Tenggara, and to the west to Sumatra and Malaysia.

Pottery jars still intact. Estimated as a provision buried by the skeleton found near Tiger Cave, South Sumatra. The cave complex known as the most populous and rarest ancient cemetery in Indonesia, and even Southeast Asia. (Picture from: http://nationalgeographic.co.id/)

New data shows the spread of Austronesian speakers is not as simple as imagined and trigger another opinion about the spread of the west lane. namely through Southeast Asia mainland and Sumatra, which is older than the eastern path. From the findings are, the east path for the moment was the stronger opinion. As for the western line, the data still needs to archeology and linguistics deepening, although early indicators already exist.

Gua Harimau discoveries made ​​researchers to better understand the ancestral trail, whether native Taiwan or a mixture of mainland Southeast Asia (Rear India). Meanwhile, supporters of the eastern path (one of which was driven by Peter Bellwood, archaeologists from the Australian National University) has not received an opinion of the west line backer. Truman support the spread of the two lines. Moreover, the findings of Gua Harimau support it.

From the recent excavations results, obtained the fact that in the region there are many archaeological objects stored. This is in line with the Truman findings, which indicates that in Gua Harimau there is a very long occupancy of several races. "We've been down to a depth of 3.5 meters and discovered the remains of fauna and stone tools. And this is not from the  Austronesian but Australo-Melanesian Although we have not found the one, the rest of the culture there," he said.

Because of the importance of these findings, the OKU Regency-Office of Youth, Sport and Tourism (Dinas Pemuda, Olahraga dan Pariwisata-Kabupaten OKU) plans to make the Gua Harimau area as the archaeological research laboratory. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC INDONESIA | ERWIN ZACHRI | PARLIZA HENDRAWAN | KORAN TEMPO 4331]

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