Two sarcophagi found in Buleleng
Two sarcophagi found in Buleleng
DENPASAR, Bali (Antara): A resident of Buleleng regency, Bali,
have come across two sarcophagi and a human skeleton estimated to
be 2,000 years old.
Head of Bali provincial archeological center, Ayu Kusumawati,
said a study is underway on the historical relics found in
August.
A prehistorical milestone in a burying system using a
sarcophagus was identified as far back as some 2,000 years ago or
early in the first century A.D., says Kusumawati.
The Bali archeological center, which is responsible for
archaeological affairs in the provinces of Bali, and East and
West Nusa Tenggara, received the report on this important finding
from the head of Buleleng regency office for education and
culture, Made Sudarsana.
Suma Adnyana, 45, a resident of Selat village, Sukasada
subdistrict, Buleleng regency, some 85 kilometers north of here,
found the two sarcophagi at separate places while digging in his
field.
When pried open, the bigger sarcophagus turned out to contain
a complete human skeleton. Close to where this bigger sarcophagus
was found, the other sarcophagus, without a lid and empty, was
discovered.
Upon receiving the report, Made Sudarsana made a site
inspection and asked the owner of the field where the relics had
been found to take good care of the two sarcophagi and keep them
in their original place until historians complete their study.
Back in 1994, Buddhist relics dating back from the eighth
century were found in Kalibukbuk, close to the Lovina tourist
resort in West Buleleng.
"A study has been made of these relics and now they are kept
in one of the rooms in the building housing the Buleleng regency
office of the ministry of national education," says Sudarsana.
The discovery of the two sarcophagi in Buleleng regency proves
that this area is home to prehistoric relics. Similar relics have
also been found in a number of old villages such as the Tigawasa
village in Banjar Buleleng regency.
"The discovery of relics in Kalibukbuk dating back from eighth
century shows that the northern coastal area of Bali used to
serve as a gateway for the entry of south-eastern culture," says
I Gusti Ketut Simba, an observer of history and culture.
He said he believed that many more relics still lie hidden and
that their discovery would support the promotion of tourism in
North Bali.
"If the legacy of our ancestors are handled properly, it would
make North Bali more attractive to tourists. Buleleng may be home
to a great number of relics but of course careful consideration
must be made prior to any excavation or research," says Gusti
Simba.