Songgoriti Temple Excavation Discovers Dutch Heritage Drainage System

PHOTO VIA ANTARA

BATU CITY - The Cultural Conservation Preservation Center (BPCB) of East Java Province stated that during the excavation process of the Songgoriti Temple in the Batu City area, East Java, it found a drainage system that was thought to be Dutch heritage.

Head of the Songgoriti Temple Site Rescue Excavation Team BPCB East Java Province Muhammad Ichwan in Batu City, East Java, Wednesday said that the discovery of the drainage system installation after the team opened box C9.

"We have received a drainage installation. It is estimated that it was built during the Dutch era," said Ichwan, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, November 17.

Ichwan explained that the drainage system found in the Songgoriti Temple area was in the form of two installations that were similar to a ditch which was to the northwest of the temple building. The installation is made of bricks.

According to him, the bricks used to make the drainage channel installation are 25 centimeters long, 13 centimeters wide and five centimeters thick. Currently, the excavation team is continuing the search for the drainage installation.

"There are two, a kind of ditch that is in the northwest of this temple. They are made of bricks of the same size. Found in the C9 excavation box, and we are chasing again to the north. We will open the C10 box," he said.

Ichwan explained that the Songgoriti Temple building, based on records, had been restored several times by the Dutch. The restoration was recorded to have been carried out in 1921. The excavation team also found tin circles on the main temple which are markers.

"We know that in the main temple there are tin circles, they are a marker in the restoration. It is a re-arrangement, a repositioning," he said.

In addition, he continued, in the excavation process carried out since November 10, 2021, it was also found that there was a strengthening system for the temple building located under the batur. The reinforcement uses bricks of the same size as the drainage installation system.

Ichwan explained, the Batur foundation on the Songgoriti Temple building was composed of nine layers. At the bottom after the reinforced brick foundation, a concrete slab with a thickness of approximately 40 centimeters was also found.

"This is for reinforcement given by the Dutch in the restoration carried out in 1921. The Netherlands has also carried out an inventory, documentation, and restoration," he said.

Songgoriti Temple is located in the valley between Gunung Kawi and Anjasmoro, in Songgokerto Village, Batu District, Batu City. The temple was built from andesite rock adjacent to the hot springs in the area.

Songgoriti Temple was discovered by Van Ijsseldijk in 1799. The Dutch East Indies government carried out the restoration of the temple in 1849 and 1863, led by Rigg and Brumund. Knebel also carried out an inventory and restoration in 1902 and 1921 to 1923.