The role of radiocarbon analysis in determining the chronology of Erong culture in Tana Toraja

Abstract

Research on the beginning of the growth of Toraja culture needs to track when this unique culture began to develop. The Toraja cultural remains are generally made of stone such as menhirs and stone, and wood graves such as erong grave containers and various daily living equipment. Erong cemetery made of wood is noted as a cultural heritage that is quite old, and generally stored safely in caves, so it is very representative to know its age through the radiocarbon method (C14). A research through selectively taking samples of 22 erong burial sites in Tana Toraja and North Toraja Regency can be a media of tracking the range of the development period of the culture, which is noted around 780 - 1960 AD. Thus the date of the erong burial culture in Tana Toraja can provide a perspective on the initial period and development of the culture.