DKI Provincial Government Explores Archaeological Objects Onrust Island

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government conducted excavations or archaeological excavations on Onrust Island, Thousand Islands. The excavation of the fort and historical objects was carried out from November 8 to 22, 2023.

The head of the Onrust Archaeological Museum Implementation Unit, Teuku Muhamad Rizki Ramadhan, revealed that the excavation was carried out to resume research and excavations that had been carried out in 1995.

This finding also proves the location of access in and out and the boundaries of the Onrust Island defense bastion barrier refer to the plan described by JW Heydt in 1744.

"This excavation re-excavation re-excavates the fort and archaeological objects on Onrust Island and its surroundings. These findings will be stored at the Onrust Island Archaeological Museum," Rizky said in his statement, Thursday, November 16.

Excavation activities, according to Rizky, are expected to be the basis for considering the preservation of cultural heritage on Onrust Island.

In addition, the DKI Culture Service ensures that tourist visits to Onrust Island remain open because the excavation area is already limited to visitors.

Meanwhile, archaeologist and cultural heritage expert Candrian Attahiyyat explained that this excavation was carried out to prove that the large five-sided fort with a bassion in each corner was in accordance with the plan, and to find out whether the fort area was 2/3 of the island.

"We got the results of the thickness of this fort 1.5 meters to two meters. We even re-registered the three newly revealed batteries," said Candra.

According to Candra, the foundation of the building on Onrust Island is full of piles, so to carry out excavations is quite constrained. This research uses a georadar scan which is a ground layer check kit with the help of five young archaeologists.

"Until now, you have found the rest of the buildings and foundations on the north side, the rest of the fort structure, public facilities and loose findings," he explained.