Suspected Singosari Kingdom Remains Found in Housing Construction Location

Kapanlagi.com - An ancient site suspected to be remnants of the Singosari kingdom was found in an area of a housing construction complex in Malang Regency. A 5-meter long ancient brick structure was found when the developer was excavating the ground for the foundation of the housing project.

The discovery location is in Ngenep Village, Karangploso Subdistrict, Malang Regency. Apart from the brick structure, pottery fragments, ceramics, and copper were also found by local residents.

Dwi Cahyono, an archaeologist from Malang State University (UM), stated that the brick structure consists of four layers buried in the ground. The brick structure is a meeting point of two elongated walls that are still covered by the soil.

It is suspected that the brick structure is part of a complex building, supported by the proximity of the discovery location to the Ngenep Water Source (Umbulan).

"The presence of a water source is very important in determining the residential area. That's why they chose to settle here. Moreover, if we look at the findings, they are in architectural form," said Dwi Cahyono in Malang City, on Monday (5/10).

1. Residential Area

Kapanlagi/Darmadi Sasongko

Other findings such as pottery shards, lamps, and other household tools further strengthen the belief that the surrounding area was an ancient residential area.

The ancient bricks found are believed to be remnants of buildings from the Singosari Kingdom or even earlier. This belief is reinforced by the dimensions of the bricks, which are approximately 9 cm in length and 20 cm in width. Similar bricks have also been found not far from the site.

"These are relatively thick. Similar-sized bricks have been found, for example, at the Pendem Site, which is known to be from the 10th century. The Langlang Site also has large-sized bricks, almost the same thickness," he explained.

However, Dwi emphasized that for a residential area, it must have undergone long-term development. Therefore, its existence is far from the Singosari era, even prehistoric.

Because stone dakon, grinding stones, and scratch stones have also been found around the area, indicating megalithic traditions. So, it is indeed a continuous residential area.

"By the 10th century, the settlement had already become permanent, which means its embryo is already old," he emphasized.

The Ngenep water source is believed to have been a source of clean water or a ritual site for the settlement.

The Ngenep area and its surroundings were once a support area for the Singosari Kingdom. Because its location is not far from the center of the kingdom or kedaton.

"Because of its location, this village becomes an interland, becoming a support for the needs of the Singosari Kedatwan," he emphasized.

2. Rescue Steps

Currently, the discovery site has been cordoned off by the police for temporary preservation. Rapid research will be conducted to determine the potential and prospects of the site.

"Only this area has been sterilized. This is called rescue excavation, it won't take long, about 5 days to determine its potential and prospects, whether it is extensive or not, by the authorities, BPCB," he said.

A series of procedures have been taken by the local residents, one of which is reporting the discovery. Coordination has been carried out with the Cultural Heritage Rescue Agency (BPCB) and the Malang Regency Government.

(kpl/dar/frs)