Prehistoric sites in Kabupaten Enrekang, South Sulawesi

Abstract

Research on the prehistory of Enrekang, South Sulawesi, was conducted to find evidence of early human occupation in the region from the artefactual evidence preserved at various sites. A series of surveys was undertaken in sites at Mendatte, Buntu Banua and Buttu Batu, where there are traces of prehistoric habitation such as earthenware sherds, flaked stone artefacts, grindstones, hammerstones, barkcloth beaters and metal fragments. Test pits were excavated in the Buttu Batu rockshelter and revealed a basal habitation deposit that lacked earthenware pottery and an upper layer with abundant earthenware pottery. These results indicate a variety of activities suggestive of long-term settlement in the region from prior to the Neolithic and continuing to the Metal Age.