According to a recent study published in Archaeological Prospection, the world’s oldest pyramid yet discovered is not in Egypt or Latin America, but in Indonesia. Researchers from various disciplines came to the conclusion that it could be that of Gunung Padang, in West Java.

The remains found at the Gunung Padang site may be the oldest pyramid in the world
The study reveals that Gunung Padang in West Java was formed more than 14,000 years ago, surpassing the Saqqara pyramid in Egypt in age. It is located in Karyamukti, Campaka, and is a structure that was developed more than 10,000 years ago, long before the pyramid of Djoser in Egypt.
The tropical climate of the region, with abundant rainfall and sedimentation, preserved these historical remains that were buried for centuries. Technological advances have allowed us to discover more about the complex constructions of Gunung Padang, potentially revealing its history in the hands of ancient Paleolithic civilizations.
A discovery that modifies the history known until today about the pyramids
Gunung Padang, meaning “mountain of enlightenment” in Indonesian, had religious importance throughout history and was used for rituals by several local communities. Since the 1890s, it has been the subject of studies and discoveries, but only in 1979 did the local government begin deeper investigation.
In the 1980s, the National Archaeological Institute carried out restoration work that revealed megalithic structures, including stepped stone terraces of unusual size. These studies determined that Gunung Padang is a prehistoric site surrounded by other similar megalithic sites in a volcanic region with rocks dating from the Pliocene.
Geologist Danny Hilman Natawidjaja and his team set out to place Gunung Padang in history, exploring its secrets and origin. Between 2011 and 2015, they used technologies such as seismic tomography, electrical resistance, and ground-penetrating radar to study its structure. In turn, they carried out surveys to obtain samples of the core, which they later dated using radiocarbon.
These advanced methods revealed crucial information about the antiquity and construction of Gunung Padang. The results reveal an intriguing and extensive story. Its oldest parts date back to around 25,000 to 14,000 BC. The construction of the pyramid involved various phases over time. Initially, they carved lava from the volcano where it is located. Then, between 7900 and 6100 BC, they added bricks and rock columns. In later periods, they added earth and stone terraces, with contributions between 2000 and 1100 BC

Is Gunung Padang a natural or artificial hill?
There is a debate of scientific opinions on this matter. Some believe that it is a naturally formed hill and man added some decorations to its summit. But others have the firm conviction that it is the top of an extinct volcano modified by human intervention. Studies even indicate that there are hollow underground parts, which may be hidden chambers. The investigation continues. We will have to wait to know the information provided by future results.