Megalithic refers to a period of prehistoric culture characterized by the use of stone. The term originates from the Greek words mega, meaning large, and lithos, meaning stone, and can be etymologically interpreted as “the age of large stones.” During the megalithic period, cultural artifacts often used stone as a symbolic medium. However, Wagner argues that the concept of megalithic does not exclusively refer to large stones; even small stones and structures without monuments may be considered megalithic, depending on their purpose and the intent behind their use - particularly in the worship or veneration of ancestral spirits.
This culture emerged in response to various social, spiritual, and practical changes within ancient societies. It developed not in isolation, but spread across different regions of the world—including Indonesia—indicating a shared conceptual approach to life and death. Megalithic cultural forms that reflect the relationship between humans and ancestral spirits include dolmens, menhirs, stone altars, stone mortars, and dakon stones. Moreover, large stone structures, such as dolmens or menhirs, often functioned as markers of status for prominent individuals within a community. The construction of megaliths also served to reinforce cooperation among groups and foster communal bonds. These structures, frequently used as sites of worship or burial, underscore the significance of ancestral spirits in the lives of ancient peoples.
Gunung Kidul, located in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, is one of the areas in Indonesia where menhirs from the megalithic era have been discovered. Three statues were unearthed in the Karangmojo District, and 11 menhirs were found in the Playen District—based on research conducted in 1968 and observations in 1980. The menhirs in Playen share notable similarities with those found in the Napu, Besoa, and Bada regions of Central Sulawesi, suggesting a broader cultural connection. These stone structures serve as expressions of megalithic culture and are believed to commemorate ancestral figures. Notably, the site of the menhir is located near a burial ground, reinforcing its symbolic purpose. One of these megalithic relics, a menhir, is currently exhibited at the Sonobudoyo Museum in Yogyakarta, within the Thomas Karsten Building.***
Reference:
1 Amaluddin Sope, “Tradisi Megalitik dan Fenomena Nisan Menhir di Situs Makam Kuno Pulau Pandan Kendari” dalam Jurnal Penelitian Arkeologi Papua dan Papua Barat, Vol. 13, No. 2, 2021, hlm. 134.
4https://repositori.kemendikdasmen.go.id/9908/1/2.Tinjauan%20Sementara%20Tentang%20Arca%20
Menhir%20Gunung%20Kidul.pdf,
accessed on July 13, 2025, at 12:35 WIB.
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