Viral 6 Ancient Tombstones Found By Waskita Worker Contains History Of Palembang, Archaeologists Recommendation To Be Conserved

Archaeologists from the South Sumatra Archaeological Office measure to identify ancient tombstones in Palembang (Via ANTARA)

SUMSEL - The South Sumatra Archaeological Office recommends the Jambi Cultural Heritage Preservation Center and the Palembang City Culture Office to take further conservation actions on six ancient tombstones.

Head of the South Sumatra Archaeological Office, Wahyu Rizky Andhifani, said that his party had conducted preliminary research on six ancient tombstones found from the Tengkuruk Permai shopping complex Block C, 17 Ilir or in the area around Pasar 16 Ilir Palembang.

From the results of the study, the tombstones contain historic elements as cultural heritage objects, especially those related to history in the city of Palembang.

"As a recommendation, we ask them to carry out conservation of the tombstone. Furthermore, after being conserved, whether it is appropriate to display or want to include cultural heritage objects is up to them. For us the important thing is that we have completed the research, although it is still in the early stages," he said. in Palembang, Antara, Friday, January 21.

According to him, based on research, it is known that the owner of the six tombstones is a family of Muslim elders. Then, when compared with the map from 1821, it is suspected that they had princely descendants in Palembang. Because referring to the map in 1821, there were already many pyramid houses of princes standing at the location where the tombstones were found.

Meanwhile, Manager of Archaeological Data of Arabic Inscriptions, South Sumatra Archaeological Office, Naf'an Ratomi, said that the inscriptions of the six gravestones consist of Arabic and Malay scripts.

Each of them, for example, on the first headstone consists of four lines that read Faqod Intiqolat Ila rahmatillahil abror Niaji (nadibah) bint abdu Al aziz falembani or then has passed away to rahmatullah with good Niaji (Nadibah) Abdul Aziz's daughter from Palembang.

The second headstone consists of five lines, inscribed with Faqod Intiqol Ila rahmatillah Al malikul abror al marhum Haji Abdurrahman Raja Ismail or then has passed away to the good king rahmatullah the late Haji Abdurrahman Raja Ismail.

Then the third headstone consists of four lines that read Faqod Intiqolat Ila rahmatillahil abror niaji rosyidah Binti haji abdurrahman Raja Ismail Palembang or has passed away to rahmatullah with good luck Niaji Rosyidah daughter of Haji Abdurrahman Raja Ismail from Palembang.

The fourth headstone consists of four lines Wakana dieduhu Yaumil isnain Robi'ul Akhir Sanah or And as for his death on Monday, 8 Robiul Akhir in 1322 H.

The fifth tombstone consists of six lines Move to rahmatullah Female name nur'aini Bint haji abdurrahman To the two days of the month of Rabiul Awal or Has passed away to rahmatullah a woman named Nur'aini daughter of Haji Abdurrahman on the 2nd of the month of Robi'ul Awal

Then finally on the sixth headstone consisting of four lines that read Hijratun prophet sholla Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam Wa kana matiuha khomsatu wa'isrina Al qo'idah Sanatu tsala miatun wa'asyro Ba'da alpun or And as for his death on 25 Dzulkaidah Year 1310 Hijriah .

"The script and language use Arabic and Malay. Of the six gravestones we have met, the only one that uses Malay is the fifth one, then from identification she is a woman," he said.

Meanwhile, South Sumatra Archaeological Office Archaeologist Retno Purwati said archaeological researchers consider that the discovery of these ancient tombs is very important, especially to gain knowledge about the history of Palembang City.

So he considers that apart from being conserved, further research related to this finding is very feasible to continue.

"It is appropriate to continue this research, it's just that if the permit is allowed or not, we are waiting for the policy of the local government to respond to this finding, of course with other considerations," he added.

According to him, the research team from the South Sumatra Archeology office plans to publish the results of studies and research on the discovery into a scientific journal so that it can be used as a reference for academics and the general public.

"God willing, we will publish it in scientific journals later," he said.

He hopes that, in the future, all parties who find suspected historical objects will be able to report to his party immediately or other related parties such as the Department of Culture, Tourism or the local Police.

So that historical objects are not lost or damaged because they are very important and valuable, for research and historical value itself.

Previously, the tombstone was found accidentally by PT Waskita Karya workers when they were excavating for the WWTP installation project at the Tengkuruk Permai shopping complex Block C, 17 Ilir or in the area around Pasar 16 Ilir Palembang, on January 12 and circulated in the group. WhatsApp social media via a 19-second discovery video on Friday, January 14th.

Then based on a meeting facilitated by the Palembang Culture Service and attended by a team of archaeologists, along with PT Waskita Karya on Monday, January 17 morning, it was agreed to be reappointed in the evening.

This is because the tombstones have been reburied by Waskita workers for security measures and so that they are not misused by irresponsible parties, then four gravestones were obtained.

Meanwhile, two other headstones were found in Tanjung Bakia, Tanjung Barangan, Palembang on Wednesday, January 19 evening. This location is where the excavated soil from the IPAL project is disposed of. Until recently, the six headstones were kept at the Palembang City Culture Service.