Controversy Over Ancient Lake Theory at Borobudur Temple

Recent research casts doubt on the long-held belief that the Borobudur Temple in Indonesia was built in the middle of an ancient lake. A team from the Geological Survey Center and the National Innovation Research Agency (BRIN) found no evidence to support the theory, despite previous suggestions dating back to the 1930s.

Borobudur Temple and the Ancient Lake Theory

The controversy surrounding the potential location of Borobudur Temple on an ancient lake has persisted for nearly a century. The Museum and World Heritage Cultural Site of Borobudur recently posted an AI-generated illustration on Instagram depicting the temple situated in a lake, reigniting the discussion.

The idea of a lake surrounding Borobudur was first proposed by W.O.J. Nieuwenkamp in 1933, who envisioned the temple as a lotus flower symbolizing purity in Buddhist teachings. Theodoor van Erp, who led the Borobudur restoration from 1907-1911, initially dismissed the notion due to a lack of scientific data. However, subsequent geological and geomorphological researchers, including Reinout Willem van Bemmelen, J.J Nossin, and A.D. Voute, supported the possibility.

Research conducted by Helmy Murwanto in 1996 provided geological evidence, including lake sediments containing black clay and pollen from marsh plants like lotus, cyperaceae, eleocharis, and hydrocharis, found in the Elo, Progo, and Sileng Rivers. Carbon dating in 2001 indicated the lake formed approximately 22,000 years ago and remained partially present during Borobudur’s construction in the 8th-9th century AD, eventually being buried by volcanic deposits around the 13th century.

Recent Findings Refute the Lake Theory

The latest research team revisited locations identified in previous studies, focusing initially on the banks of the Sileng River. Instead of lake deposits, they found layers composed of 70% sand with high iron content. Laboratory analysis failed to detect plant pollen, ostracods, or diatoms – key indicators of a lacustrine environment.

Samples taken from rice fields approximately 500 meters south of the temple, at a depth of six meters, revealed tuff and volcanic ash mixed with clay, again lacking the expected lake deposits. While some pollen was present, ostracods and diatoms were absent.

For comparison, samples were collected from the Jombor Marsh in Klaten, which yielded abundant plant pollen, ostracods, and diatoms. Based on these findings, Eko Yulianto stated, “Scientifically, the existence of the lake has not been verified.”