Cultural Diversity in the Prehistoric Period in South Sulawesi

Abstract

Since the beginning of civilization, South Sulawesi was originally occupied by four main ethnic groups: the Bugis, the Makassar, the Toraja, and the Mandar. A number of material culture findings have shown a technological synthesis marking out a local type of collaboration with technology from another place. This concept brings us to the understanding of various cultural aspects form which created to mark out its period. In this context, South Sulawesi has the leading role in revealing human civilization grading along with various inner identities. Through the analysis of differences and similarities of material attributes which can be used for describing the cultural diversity. Cultural diversity, which is characterized by ornament and technology from different periods, shows humans’ tolerances in adopting knowledge from outside their area. Earthenware ornaments, artifacts, technology, or stone monuments, as well as traditions, show how humans apply a natural–social selection adaptation system. This explanation is also true for ornamentation on gravestones and the early Islamic burial system, and for the form of the cultural diversity of South Sulawesi’s society.