Workers discover remains of ancient temple in Bali

Oct 26, 2012
A Balinese archaeologist measures a stone of ancient temple structure in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012. Wayan Swantika of the local archaeology agency says workers digging a drainage basin last week in eastern Denpasar, Bali's capital, at first discovered a large stone about 1 meter (3 feet) underground. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

(AP)—An archaeologist says a structure that is believed to be the remains of an ancient Hindu temple has been unearthed on Indonesia's resort island of Bali.

Wayan Swantika of the local archaeology agency says workers digging a last week in eastern Denpasar, Bali's capital, at first discovered a large stone about 1 meter (3 feet) underground.

Excavation teams have since uncovered a 57-meter (62-yard) structure that is believed to be the temple's foundation.

The find is still being analyzed, but given the shape and characteristics of the materials used, Swantika says he believes it was built sometime between the 13th and 15th centuries. He added that it is also thought to be the largest ancient ever discovered in Bali.

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baudrunner
1 / 5 (2) Oct 26, 2012
13th and 15th centuries are hardly what I would call ancient times. The Baalbek foundation on which the Romans built their temple to Jupiter is estimated to be 25,000 years old, as is the Sphinx in Egypt. They are ancient.
Birger
5 / 5 (1) Oct 27, 2012
The Baalbek temple was built in Hellenistic times. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
Temple-building require agriculture supporting a centralised society. Agriculture is only 10000 years old, and the oldest big temple structure is on Malta, from 3000 BC.

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