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Experts to examine bones of mysterious animal
ANCIENT BONES: Over 200 pieces of fossilized bone are arranged at the Muara Gembong’s Police before they were transferred to the Directorate of Ancient Relics in Central Jakarta
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ANCIENT BONES: Over 200 pieces of fossilized bone are arranged at the Muara Gembong’s Police before they were transferred to the Directorate of Ancient Relics in Central Jakarta. (JP/Hans David)
The remains of what is believed to be a large, mysterious animal found at Muara Gembong, North Bekasi, are now at the Directorate of Ancient Relics in Central Jakarta for further examination.
The directorate, in cooperation with the Archaeological Research and Development Center, will begin examining the findings Friday.
The head of preservation at the directorate, Saiful Mujahud, told The Jakarta Post that it would take at least a week for them to reach a conclusion.
"It might take a week or it might even take months," he said.
The center has all the necessary tools to conduct the examination, he said.
The bones were found by a local resident, Muasim, while digging a fish pond. The site was secured by the Muara Gembong until the directorate picked up the bones Tuesday.
Speculations are whirling about what kind of animal the bones belonged to. Most locals believe the bones belonged to an ancient wild boar because the area used to be a thick dark forest.
Saiful said he appreciated the Muara Gembong residents' quick response in contacting the directorate after they discovered the bones.
"According to Article 28 of the 1992 Protected Cultural Artifacts Law, any accidental findings of ancient relics should be reported to the directorate within 14 days," he said.
"Violators of the law face up to one year in prison or a Rp 10 million (US$860) fine."
Saiful said that despite the remoteness of the Muara Gembong area, which is located 60 kilometers north of Bekasi, the residents are already familiar with the law on ancient relics.
"A lot of ancient relics and artifacts have been excavated from the area in the past," he said. The Muara Gembong area was part of the ancient Tarumanegara Kingdom in west Java.
The recent discovery, along with another discovery, has put the area in the media spotlight.
Last Wednesday, the remains of a mutilated man packed in a large brief case where found by a local fisherman, Nadi bin Darmawi, in the area.
Muara Gembong Police head Adj. Comr. Lestariyono told the Post that the body was sent to Cipto Mangunkusumo morgue for an autopsy later that day. (hdt)
