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Tuesday, 27th February 2007 (2184 views)

Farmers in West Java, Indonesia, have quite literally struck gold after discovering ancient treasure on farmland in the country.

Gold beads, stone and pottery pieces and even human bones have been unearthed at sites in the Pedes district of Karawang, which has recently been troubled by a severe drought.

But while the many precious artefacts are being dug up by enthusiastic farmers, authorities are concerned about the legality of the finds, as many are being discovered just miles from nearby archaeological sites, which may belong to the ancient Buni community.

Artefacts that are more than 50 years old officially belong to the state, but after severe droughts, the local farmers are making the most of their golden finds and selling them on illegally.

But the local residents do not feel they are breaking the law. One told the Jakarta Post: "I don't consider it illegal. Even the field owner is not demanding anything from us, why should the government bother."

However, archaelogists are concerned about their ability to prevent such treasure rushes, as the public have little concern themselves for the nation's treasure.

"The public cannot be blamed for what has happened all too often. We have to support public archaeology if we want to raise community awareness," Peter Ferdinandus, a researcher with the National Archaeological Research Centre, told the newspaper.

 

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