The American publisher of a study that made headlines by claiming an archaeological site in Indonesia may be the world’s “oldest pyramid” has retracted the controversial findings. The study, published in October 2023 in the journal Archaeological Prospection, suggested that the site, Gunung Padang, could have been sculpted by humans as far back as 27,000 years ago.
Critics of the study pointed out that the dating of the site was based on radiocarbon measurements of soil samples, not artifacts, leading to inaccuracies in the conclusions drawn. The publisher, Wiley, cited this reason for the retraction issued on Monday after a thorough investigation.
Gunung Padang, a dormant volcano, has been a site of interest for archaeologists, with ceramics found there indicating human activity for several hundred years. The retraction stated that the study’s soil samples were not associated with any artifacts or features that could definitively be interpreted as man-made.
While some archaeologists welcomed the retraction, the study’s authors defended their work, claiming that their soil samples did include man-made constructions and archaeological features. They called the retraction unjust and urged the academic community to challenge the decision.
Prominent supporters of the research, such as journalist Graham Hancock, criticized the retraction, arguing that it stifles scientific debate and alternative theories. The Society for American Archaeology has also weighed in, expressing support for the retraction.
As the debate continues, the head of the Cultural Heritage Conservation Office in West Java Province, where Gunung Padang is located, emphasized the need to re-examine the site’s age in light of the retraction. The structures at Gunung Padang, while layered and terraced, may not be as ancient as previously thought.
The retraction of the study has sparked discussions within the scientific community about the importance of transparency and integrity in research and publishing. The controversy surrounding Gunung Padang and its potential significance in archaeological history is far from over.
