The Gunung Padang 'Pyramid' Mystery

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Slowly but surely the mystery of the "pyramid" in Gunung Padang, Cianjur, West Java, is beginning to unravel. One by one, researchers claim to have found evidence that the pyramid-shaped mountain is man-made, and not a natural formation.Radar imaging shows that the mountain hides enclaves of rock that resemble shrines. If this hypothesis is correct, then the building that has been forgotten for decades will allegedly defeat the discovery of the pyramids in Egypt.Tempo Magazine in its edition dated August 27, 2012, tracked the mystery of the Gunung Padang site. The age of the "pyramid" is estimated at 4,700-10,900 BC. Compare this to the age of the Giza pyramids in Egypt, which is only 2,500 BC old. But the research is limited still. That is why geologists continue to be skeptical about the "pyramid" is. Too early to be announced.Gunung Padang became the talk of the town the Ancient Catastrophic Team conducted a study on Cimandiri quake fault, about four miles to the north of the site. The team was formed by Special Staff of the President to the Social and Natural Disasters Assistance Andi Arief.The controversy erupted after Andi announced early last year that there was some kind of a pyramid under Gunung Padang. "Whatever the name or shape, its clear there hollows thereunder," said Andi. "At a glance, it doesnt look like a mountain, more manmade."His suspicion started because the shape of the mountain was nearly like a triangle when viewed from the north. The team earlier also found a similar form on Gunung Sadahurip in Garut and on Bukit Dago Pakar in Bandung expert while researching the Lembang fault.Andi Arief says the work of his team at Gunung Padang is almost finished. When it comes to excavation, however, he gave up because it will cost a huge amount. "That is Arkenas job," he said.