Buried for Thousands of Years, Gunung Padang's Secrets Finally Being Uncovered.

The Gunung Padang site in Cianjur, West Java, holds inexhaustible secrets. For some, it's merely an ancient site. But for researchers, Gunung Padang is a colossal enigma that could reshape our understanding of Nusantara's history.

Culture Minister Fadli Zon described Gunung Padang as one of science's most mysterious global sites. Behind its terraced stone structures lie countless secrets scientists are gradually uncovering.

“This site presents a mystery scientists must solve. There's a terraced punden, essentially a man-made pyramid here. While we lack blueprints of its construction, scientists will progressively unravel its secrets through modern knowledge,” stated Fadli in Jakarta on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

He emphasized that Gunung Padang's research and restoration transcend archaeological excavation, representing the current generation's duty to protect ancestral heritage from damage, including natural disasters.

“Our generation bears this responsibility. Now is the time to apply our expertise in restoration to safeguard this site from natural calamities. May it stand again in its original form, revealing its true purpose and even the reason behind its name 'Gunung Padang',” he added.

Ali Akbar, Head of Gunung Padang's National Cultural Heritage Site Research and Restoration Team, noted the site's extraordinary value in scale and antiquity. 

His team will soon commence initial restoration on landslide-affected sections.

“Limited initial restoration will prioritize protecting collapsed areas of the site's perimeter. This will commence within two to three months,” Ali explained.

The team also prepares community empowerment programs to ensure locals benefit economically and socially from the site.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Museums Association Chairman Putu Supadma Rudana expressed appreciation, hoping the research and restoration would culminate in a museum documenting Gunung Padang's research legacy and history.

Closing the event, Fadli urged full community support from locals, artists, and cultural practitioners for Gunung Padang's research and restoration. 

For behind each ancient stone lies an untold epic of Nusantara's magnificent civilization, awaiting its retelling.