Le programme archéologique franco-indonésien sur Padang Lawas (Sumatra Nord). Réflexions préliminaires

Abstract

Daniel Perret, École française d’Extrême-Orient, Paris. Lucas P. Koestoro, Balai Arkeologi, Medan. Heddy Surachman & Sukawati Susetyo, Pusat Penelitian dan Pengembangan Arkeologi Nasional Indonesia, Jakarta Le programme archéologique franco-indonésien sur Padang Lawas (Sumatra Nord). Réflexions préliminaires The Padang Lawas area in the North Sumatra Province has been known since the middle of the 19th century for its numerous Hindu-Buddhist remains located on the upper course of the Barumun river basin, at the foot of the Barisan range. This paper begins with a brief review of the research on architecture, art and inscriptions conducted in Padang Lawas during the last century. Suggested datings for the temples by previous authors range from the 11th to the 14th century and some indications point to the practice of Vajrayåna Buddhism, Sivaism and a Buddhist-Sivaist syncretism. By contrast, researches on ancient settlements in Padang Lawas started much more recently, less than ten years ago in fact, with the rediscovery of a complex system of earthen walls and moats at Si Pamutung. The promising results of the first test-pits did encourage the launching in 2006 of the second phase of a joint French-Indonesian archaeological program focused on the ancient settlements of Tapanuli since 2001. Pottery, Chinese ceramics, glass, beads and terra-cottas, as well as the remains of a brick structure were found during this first campaign. These finds confirm that Si Pamutung was a major settlement in Padang Lawas. These first results raise questions on the chronology, the nature and the structure of the Si Pamutung settlement itself. In addition, their combination with previous data brings new hypotheses regarding the population of Padang Lawas, its connection with coastal settlements in the region and its relation with neighbouring economic and political power, as well as farther centres in Asia.