Sokoliman Gunungbang Megalith Site

Rating :

2 ( 3 Voter(s) )

A. Overview

Sokoliman Megalith Site actually lies at two administrative areas of Gunungkidul, namely Sokoliman and Gunungbang. There are big round, oval, and cubical stones, huge stone boards scattered in the site. On the stones, there have been codes of identification. They are also placed in four separate blocks.

The site was discovered after a study on the archeological researches of some Gunungkidul megalith sites conducted first in the Dutch colonial time. A Dutch archeologist named J.L. Moens notably did a research in 1934. The next year, another Dutch, Van der Hoop, carried out similar study while the last megalith research was by Yogyakarta’s Archeological Office and the Archeology Department of the Faculty of Literature and Culture, Gadjah Mada University.

Besides the Megalith stones, there are actually another findings here such as human skeletons that were found at the depth of 80 cm, buried together with some metal tools like sickle. One of the skeletons was found holding a broken sword in its left hand, while on the sword there was a roughly woven cloth.

Some other findings in the site are bronze rings, a pottery bowl (terracotta), and a megalith tomb containing three human skeletons heaped facing upward, with three metal items lying on the chest of the uppermost skeleton, copper rings, dagger, and some beads scattered in it.

B. Features

Among the distinctive attractions of this megalith site are the limestone statues shaped in Siva-Buddha civilization style. Every year after harvest, people hold bersih dusun (cleaning the land) and bersih kali (cleaning the river) rituals in the surrounding area of the statues.

Another feature is the fact that the local people have been taking part in the upkeep of the historical remnants. They seem to be proud of having this site in their neighborhood. They are very warm to visitors. If you are interested in history and archeology, you will be very happy to be in this site for there lies the ancient history of Indonesia.

C. Location

The megalith site of Sokoliman Gunungbang lies at Sokoliman area, Bejiharjo Village, Karangmojo District, Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta.

D. Access

Sokoliman is quite far from the capital of Gunungkidul, Wonosari, i.e. around 12 kilometers. There is no need to worry, however, since the road to the site has been renovated and now they are in a good condition.

To get to the megalith site of Sokoliman Gunungbang is easy, by either private or public vehicles. Taking public transportation, from Giwangan Bus Station in Yogyakarta, you start with a bus heading for Wonosari. Then at Wonosari Bus Station, you will have to continue your trip by minibus to Bejiharjo Village. From there, you can take a motorcycle taxi to get to the site. However, it will be a lot easier and faster if you go by private vehicle because it enables you to take shortcuts.

E. Ticket

No admission ticket is applied at the site. You will only be required to keep the site clean.

F. Accommodations and Other Facilities

Sokoliman Gunungbang Megalith Site provides standard facilities such as food stalls, clean public convenience, and accommodative parking lot.

Text: Yusuf Efendi
Photo(s): Collections of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Reza Daffi
(Primary data and various sources)

Read : 4122 time(s).

If you are from outside Yogyakarta and want to visit this place by travel agency services,
please contact:

Maharatu Tour and Travel

Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 27 Yogyakarta.
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com -maharatu257@yahoo.com
Website : www.maharatu.com

If you had visited this location, rate and leave a commentary to be noticed by its management and surrounding governmental tourism board.

Share