A recent study published in Archaeological Prospection has sparked major controversy with its extraordinary claim that a mountain in Indonesia, known as Gunung Padang, is actually the world’s oldest pyramid, dating back 25,000 years. This claim, if true, would not only push back the timeline of human civilization but suggest advanced construction techniques existed long before agriculture.
Gunung Padang, which translates to "Mountain of Enlightenment," was described in the study as not being a natural formation, but rather a deliberately sculpted structure. The research team asserted that this pyramid-like mound was built between 25,000 and 14,000 years ago and that it contains hidden chambers, possibly buried to preserve its true identity.
While the idea is captivating, archaeologists are skeptical. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and so far, experts argue that the evidence presented is far from convincing.
Lutfi Yondri, an archaeologist from Indonesia's BRIN, stated that local communities during the period in question lived in caves and lacked the advanced masonry skills needed to create such a monument. Flint Dibble, an archaeologist from Cardiff University, expressed concerns about the methods used in the study. While carbon dating did reveal that the soil surrounding parts of the mound is about 27,000 years old, Dibble emphasized that old soil alone doesn’t prove human activity. No signs of human presence, like tools, bones, or charcoal, were found—leaving the possibility open that the structure is simply a natural formation.
Another contentious point is the study's claim of discovering a dagger-shaped stone supposedly crafted by humans. Critics argue there is no solid evidence to confirm this stone is man-made. The journal that published the study is now reviewing the paper due to these concerns, although the full nature of the review hasn’t been disclosed.
As Dibble pointed out, natural processes can lead to materials aligning in ways that might appear man-made. For now, without more compelling evidence, it seems likely that Gunung Padang is not the ancient pyramid it's been suggested to be, but rather a natural geological formation.
While the idea of a 25,000-year-old pyramid is fascinating, the evidence remains thin. It will take more concrete findings to reshape our understanding of ancient human history.
