Gunung Padang: A 27,000-Year-Old Pyramid?
Gunung Padang, a prehistoric site in Indonesia, has sparked intense debate among researchers. While mainstream archaeologists have long believed it to be a megalithic site dating back around 2,500 to 3,000 years, controversial new studies suggest it could be as old as 27,000 years—potentially making it the world’s oldest known pyramid-like structure.
Geologist Danny Hilman Natawidjaja and his team conducted extensive research from 2011 to 2014 using ground-penetrating radar (GPR), core drilling, and 3D imaging. Their findings suggest that Gunung Padang is a multi-layered structure with different phases of construction. According to their study:
The outermost layer is around 3,000 to 4,000 years old.
The middle layer dates back approximately 7,500 to 8,000 years.
The deepest layer, buried beneath volcanic soil, could be between 16,000 and 27,000 years old—potentially placing it in the Ice Age.
Natawidjaja believes that Gunung Padang is not just a simple megalithic terrace but an advanced subterranean structure with chambers and tunnels, built by a prehistoric civilization with sophisticated engineering knowledge. If confirmed, this would dramatically rewrite human history.
However, many geologists and archaeologists reject this hypothesis. Experts like Sutikno Bronto and Víctor Pérez argue that Gunung Padang is likely a natural volcanic formation rather than a man-made pyramid. They believe that the varying soil layers are the result of natural erosion and sedimentation, rather than construction phases. Additionally, they question the methodology and dating techniques used in Natawidjaja’s research.
Despite the controversy, Gunung Padang remains a fascinating and mysterious site. Further excavations and scientific studies are needed to determine whether it is truly a lost pyramid of an ancient civilization or simply a remarkable natural formation. Until then, the mystery of Gunung Padang continues to challenge our understanding of human history.