Purna Sulastya Putra, a researcher at BRIN's Geological Disaster Research Center, explained here on Wednesday that one of the research locations is the Batu Kandiri Site in Pangandaran, West Java.
The site is mentioned in the 15th-century travel accounts of Dujang Ramanik and was abandoned by local communities after that period.
“The site was once deserted. It is suspected that in addition to conflict, natural disasters, such as a tsunami that occurred around 500 years ago, may have been the reason,” Putra explained.
BRIN's paleotsunami research is ongoing and targets several areas along the southern coast of Java Island.
In the process, the BRIN team uses stratigraphy methods, sediment analysis, and geospatial mapping to trace sand deposits indicative of ancient tsunamis. The research also touches on local folklore and oral histories passed down through generations.
According to Putra, the multidisciplinary approach, combining geology, archaeology, history, and anthropology, opens new perspectives in reinterpreting disaster events that are undocumented but are preserved in local culture.
“Stories about giant waves, the Ratu Kidul legend, or abandoned sites may reflect the community’s collective memory of natural disasters. Our goal is not to debunk myths but to enrich understanding through scientific evidence so it can be used for mitigation purposes,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, BRIN plans to expand its research to other regions such as Cilacap, Kebumen, Yogyakarta, and southern Bali while also increasing collaboration with academics, local communities, and local governments to support cultural site preservation and raise awareness of disaster risks in vulnerable areas.
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Translator: Prasetyo, Kenzu
Editor: Primayanti
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