MRT Jakarta Discovers Old Tramway in Kota Tua

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta mass rapid transit operator PT MRT Jakarta confirmed the discovery of an old tram track at the site of the MRT Phase 2 construction project in the Kota Tua area.

“We conducted an archaeological investigation in front of Mandiri Museum and found a tramway there,” said the construction project director, Silvia Halim, in an online journalist forum on Tuesday, August 31.

The archaeological investigation team along with the city’s Culture Agency is studying the Batavia tram track and matching it with the results of existing research.

The company would also formally report the investigation results to the agency and the Presidential Staff Office (KSP). “To ask for direction from the KSP regarding the findings,” she said.

MRT Jakarta had found a number of artifacts while excavating 14 locations on Jalan M.H. Thamrin and the National Monument or Monas area, Central Jakarta, for the construction of the MRT line Phase 2.

The artifacts included joints and teeth of Bovidae or ruminants of buffalo, antelope, and bison, Chinese ceramic fragments, European ceramic fragments, bullets, potteries, up to Dutch coins. They were predicted to be from the 18th to 20th centuries.

The artifacts found during the construction project of MRT Jakarta are now placed at the Jakarta MRT Visitor Center in the Monas area.

Read: MRT Jakarta Phase 2 Project May Erase City History: Archaeologist

LANI DIANA WIJAYA