Unearthing the Past

Poor roads between Mamuju and Kalumpang in West Sulawesi often take their toll on vehicles that make the trip. On a visit there last month, Tempo traveled by motorcycle over sandy banks, rocky roads and shallow rivers. Evidently these conditions were much better than when pouring rains overflow the river, making it impossible for automobiles to pass through.

That is the main reason why this area rich in ancient relics has remained relatively untouched. If there were no prehistoric sites there, spread over an area 2,000 square kilometers, perhaps no one would be much interested in visiting the place.