In October of 2023, a remarkable peer-reviewed paper was published in the journal Archaeological Prospection, citing evidence that the ancient site of Gunung Padang, located in Indonesia, is in fact a man-made and substantial pyramid like structure, with large subterranean chambers and periods of sophisticated construction activity dating back an astonishing 27,000 years. If true, this would make Gunung Padang the oldest pyramid known, dating back well into the last glacial maximum, and make it a significant driver for a re-evaluation of the history of human civilization.
Based on years of on-site work by Indonesian Geologist Danny Hillman Natawidjaja, using techniques including carbon dating, core drilling, trenching, ground penetrating radar, electrical resistivity tomography and seismic tomography, the paper generated a skeptical, if not outright visceral response from the archaeological community. In this video we get into the details of the discoveries made at Gunung Padang, and dive into the response it generated. Is this site a smoking gun for evidence of unknown ancient and sophisticated civilizations? Or is there validity to the skepticism and rebuttals that came as response to the peer-reviewed paper?
Links:
March 2024 Egypt Tour: https://unchartedx.com/marchtour2024/
Eclipse at the Canyon: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eclipse-at-the-canyon-tickets-733419546607?aff=oddtdtcreator
Cosmic Summit (my affiliate link!): https://www.bcqrtrk.com/DFBHL/9B9DM/
UnchartedX Locals page: https://unchartedx.locals.com/
Links to Videos mentioned:
Andean Architecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxuiB1vhDjM
Evidence for Old Kingdom Stone Recycling: https://youtu.be/jj7PORU_LUI
Snake Bros Gobekli Tepe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bba_PD2fMlo
Pukajay Productions Gunung Padang Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Enzo9Yg8tY
Papers and Articles:
Gunung Padang Paper (use permission granted by Danny Hillman): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/arp.1912
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/dec/16/really-really-weak-experts-attack-claim-that-indonesia-site-is-worlds-oldest-building
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/experts-doubt-claims-that-worlds-oldest-pyramid-was-discovered-in-indonesia/
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/03/world/asia/oldest-pyramid-indonesia-netflix.html
https://ahotcupofjoe.net/2023/08/gunung-padang-what-archaeology-really-says/?utm_source=search.brave.com&referrer-analytics=1
https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/09/24/archaeologists-slam-excavation-gunung-padang-site.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12872795/Indonesian-pyramid-Stonehenge-experts-Gunung-Padang.html
Executive Producers for this Episode
Ryan Haase
Jason Ary
Fred Soria
Dave Fitzpatrick
Mark Johns
Peter Shell
Michael Shirley
Thomas Bowden
Jase C Wilson
Mark Erickson
Joey White
Dave Ditzel
Galen Butler
Ryan Sidor
Jack Demcak
John Aderson
Christopher de Villers
MB
Dr Nenninger (Ettette Inc)
Shriram Rahatgaonkar
Martin Kincel
Philip Craig Fuller
Paul Bahlinger
Dave B
Skip Fisher
Chris Finefrock
James Ferguson
Joseph Martinez
Seamus Brutsch
Paul Baker
Bob Sandford
Nick Davis
Associate Executive Producers for this Episode
Phil and Karen Palmroth
Daniel Dewey
John Peel
Syllabel
Craig Westman
Dave Hoobz
Z Braal
Chris Martin
Dave Bruford
Emily Peyton
James Champion
Joe Horstman
Woody
Joanie Berkwitz
Kimberly Terrell
Christopher Pearson
Michael Ronayne