Megalithic statues that are hundreds, if not thousand of years old, dot the Napu, Besoa, and Bada valley and are considered to be the finest stone monuments of their type in Indonesia. The origin of these massive, well worked, yet elegantly simple, granite carvings has been lost over time as they pre-date the existing ethnic groups found around the park. Various archaeological studies date them as early as 3,000 BC or as recently as 1,300 AD. They are believed to relate to ancestor worship. The tallest megalith stands at a higher of over 4 m, but most are 1.5 - 2.5 m tall. There are five cateories classified by shape:1)
Stone Images- These statues have human features, but only the head, shoulders and genitalia are usually distinct. They are characterised by abnormally larges eyes and head. 2)
Kalamba- These are the most common megalith shape, and resemble large urns. They may heve been cisterns, but were most probably sarcophagi associated with the burial of nobility, as traditional requires the dead to be buried with supplies for the after life. No remnants of treasures or bones remain; the assets of the Kalamba were probably raided in the 19th century.
In the Napu Valley, the Kalamba are intricately carved on the outside with depictions of men, lizards, buffalo and other creatures, but in the Bada and Besoa Valleys, they are usually plain. 3)
Tutu'na- These are large stone disks, probably the lids of the Kalambas. Some have carved figures and often the centres are raised. 4)
Batu Dakon- Flat to convex stones featuring channels, irregular pitting and other depressions. 5)
Other- Stone mortars, house supports, and several other shapes are found. Around 430 objects have been found in three districts, including 349 in Lore utara, 55 in Lore selatan, and 27 in Kulawi. the largest concentration of objects can be found at Pokekea in the Besoa valley, where there are 78 objects, 40 of which are Batu Dakon. Further objects may exist in the park but have yet to be mapped. Prior to the arrival of the Dutch, several villages were positioned around the stones and the people inhabiting them felt a spiritual connection. During conversion to Christianity, people were encouraged to relocate to new village sites, and the affinity with the stones was lost. (Book of Lore Lindu NP A Visitor's guide, 2001.)
Megalithic statues that are hundreds, if not thousand of years old, dot the Napu, Besoa, and Bada valley and are considered to be the finest stone monuments of their type in Indonesia. The origin of these massive, well worked, yet elegantly simple, granite carvings has been lost over time as they pre-date the existing ethnic groups found around the park. Various archaeological studies date them as early as 3,000 BC or as recently as 1,300 AD. They are believed to relate to ancestor worship. The tallest megalith stands at a higher of over 4 m, but most are 1.5 - 2.5 m tall. There are five cateories classified by shape:1)Stone Images- These statues have human features, but only the head, shoulders and genitalia are usually distinct. They are characterised by abnormally larges eyes and head. 2)Kalamba- These are the most common megalith shape, and resemble large urns. They may heve been cisterns, but were most probably sarcophagi associated with the burial of nobility, as traditional requires the dead to be buried with supplies for the after life. No remnants of treasures or bones remain; the assets of the Kalamba were probably raided in the 19th century.
In the Napu Valley, the Kalamba are intricately carved on the outside with depictions of men, lizards, buffalo and other creatures, but in the Bada and Besoa Valleys, they are usually plain. 3)Tutu'na- These are large stone disks, probably the lids of the Kalambas. Some have carved figures and often the centres are raised. 4)Batu Dakon- Flat to convex stones featuring channels, irregular pitting and other depressions. 5)Other- Stone mortars, house supports, and several other shapes are found. Around 430 objects have been found in three districts, including 349 in Lore utara, 55 in Lore selatan, and 27 in Kulawi. the largest concentration of objects can be found at Pokekea in the Besoa valley, where there are 78 objects, 40 of which are Batu Dakon. Further objects may exist in the park but have yet to be mapped. Prior to the arrival of the Dutch, several villages were positioned around the stones and the people inhabiting them felt a spiritual connection. During conversion to Christianity, people were encouraged to relocate to new village sites, and the affinity with the stones was lost. (Book of Lore Lindu NP A Visitor's guide, 2001.)
