Pasemah Megalithic Civilization in South Sumatra Rekindled by Local Passion

The Pasemah region in South Sumatra, Indonesia, is home to the remnants of a megalithic civilization spread across approximately 8,000 hectares, spanning Lahat Regency, Pagaralam City, and Empat Lawang Regency. This civilization is believed to have flourished between 2,500 and 1,500 BCE. Mario Andramartik, a native of Lahat born in 1970, has been captivated by these magnificent relics. Since 2009, he has dedicated himself to researching and excavating the Pasemah megalithic civilization. Andramartik, who previously worked on cruise ships, has learned extensively from local archaeologists and diligently visited various sites. He has delved into the works of numerous archaeologists, including the late Nurhadi Rangkuti, Budi Wiyana, Siswanto, Wilston Douglas Mambo, Ramli, Iskandar, the late Kristantina Indriastuti, Sigit Eko Prasetyo, Muhammad Ruly Fauzi, Mubarak Andi Pampang, and Wahyu Rizky Andhifani, among others. His research also incorporates a wide array of literature, such as "Megalithic Remains in South Sumatra" by van der Hoop (1932), "Arca-Arca Megalitik Pasemah Sumatra Selatan" and "Megalitik Pasemah Warisan Budaya Penanda Zaman" by Rr. Triwurjani and colleagues, William Marsden's "The History of Sumatra," and archaeological journals from the South Sumatra Archaeological Center (now integrated into the National Research and Innovation Agency - BRIN). Beyond exploring each megalithic site in the Pasemah region, Andramartik has also visited other megalithic sites in Indonesia, including those in Lampung (Batu Berak, Batu Bedil, Pugung Raharjo), Gunung Padang (Cianjur), Lebak (Banten), Cipari (Kuningan, West Java), and Batu Kenong (Bondowoso), as well as Easter Island in Chile, he explained while accompanying a Mongabay Indonesia team to several Pasemah megalithic sites in Lahat Regency. His efforts are expected to raise awareness of the value of this ancient civilization buried in the region and foster momentum for its preservation and utilization as a tourism asset. Mario Andramartik's passion plays a crucial role in connecting the disappearing local heritage to the future. Source: Mongabay Indonesia