TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Papua’s Center for Archeology successfully discovered an ancient village along the waters of Sentani Lake in the District of Jayapura, Papua.

One of the Senior Researchers Hari Suroto said that the study uncovered evidence of the prehistoric residence along the waters of Sentani Lake. “The exploration managed to uncover remains of house structures submerged under water,” said Hari in Jayapura City yesterday.

The structures, in the form of remaining poles, were made from ‘soang’ tree logs that are known to stand the test of time up to hundreds of years. This also logically explains why this material was chosen by the Sentani people.

“The humans that lived in Ayauge [the known ancient residence of the area] all lived above water on stilt houses,” said Hari Suroto. The exploration in Ayague had only managed to uncover house structure remains, but is yet to discover other artifacts due to the lack of diving equipment.

According to Hari, the Papua Center for Archeology also surveyed the Tutari Megalithic Site located close to the initial exploration area which found traces that suggest the area was an ancient religious site, not a prehistoric residential area.

ANTARA