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Sangiran Museum is one of the most attractive historical site which is very interesting to visit it. It is an archaeological site located in Central Java, Indonesia. The area of 48 km2, is located 15 kilometers north of Solo and situated in the valley of the Solo River in the foothills Lawu Mountain.
When entering this area, along the way you will be presented by the residential that also serves as a unique gift shops primeval relic. The museum of 1.6 hectares wide was built against a hill and turning around into its peak. You need to walk around the hillside to get to the first exhibition space. The first exhibition space is located inside a huge natural cave which is plastered with concrete walls and contains pictures of how the Earth was formed, teeth and skeletons of ancient fossils, the bones of ancient animals, as well as diorama examples of human evolution and ancient human activity.
Coming out from the first exhibition room, you still need to climb dozens of stairs to reach the second exhibition space which is located on a hilltop. In this second exhibition space you can see various types of early human skulls from various times and places, mammoth’s femur, ancient buffalo skulls, various types of weapons, rocks fossils, and so forth.
In 1996, this site was listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. And in this area you can find many remnants of the past life and history of early human life with everything that was around them at that time; starting from his residence, pattern of life, animals that live with them, until the occurrence of the landscape in the period of not less than 2 million years ago.
Picture from: whc.unesco.org
In 1934, an anthropologist named Guustav Heinrich Ralph von Koenigswald started his research in this area and found the fossils of early humans. The discovery of fossils during his studies and excavations had reinforced the theory of human evolution from ape to human as it is today. At least five different types of early human fossils were found that time. And this amazing discovery was very surprising and became a key element in the development of the theory of human evolution.
In subsequent years, the results of excavations found the fossils of the first human ancestor, Pithecanthropus erectus ("The Java Man"). Additionally, there were about 60 more fossils found in the area, which include Meganthropus Palaeojavanicus.
Sangiran become a site that contributed nearly 50% discoveries of pre-human fossil in world history.
Not only humans and prehistoric life, fossils of underwater creatures were also found, giving rise to the theory that the island of Java was lifted from the seabed millions of years ago.
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Even in the 1980s, scientists were still shocked by the discovery of intact fossil of a mammoth with 4 meters high. These fossils are now stored at the Museum of Geology of Bandung.
It is because of its contribution to the world of archeology, anthropology, geology and science are so great that UNESCO finally declared Sangiran as the 593rd World Cultural Heritage on December 5, 1996 in Merida, Mexico. Then Human Archeological Museum was built to store and display those fossils.
Sangiran Museum describes the history of early humans from about 2 million years ago until 200,000 years ago, namely from the end of Piliosen age to the middle Piliosen age. There are 13,086 ancient human fossils collection and it constitute as the most complete early human sites in Asia. It can also be found vertebrate fossils, underwater animal fossils, rocks, fossils of marine plants, and equipments made from stone.
Circling around the museum area of 1.6 acres is a pretty exhausting trip. Sangiran, indeed, was originally a hill known as the "Sangiran Dome". The dome was then experiencing erosion at the top to form the layers of soil. This is where the experts finally get very complete information about life in the past.
But your fatigue will be paid off when you have a chance to rest and relax at the top of the view tower, where you can enjoy the beauty of the upper Sangiran site. From that place you will see a green and charming area, which will give you a freshness feeling.
Picture from: whc.unesco.org
Picture from: www.tripadvisor.com
In addition, there are dozens of stalls lined up at the front of the museum, where the locals sell gifts and souvenirs typical of prehistoric relics, ranging from objects that are claimed as ancient human’s or animal’s bones and teeth, statues made from deposits soil with fibers from ancient plant’s leafs, up to various necklaces, bracelets and jewelry made from stone and wood fossils. So, when you visit this site, do not miss the opportunity to buy gifts and souvenirs for your family at home.
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