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.