Are you missing a trip to the Gilimanuk Ancient Human Museum? Simply come because this museum is always open to tourists. However, during this pandemic, there are visiting conditions that must be complied with, namely, visitors are required to apply health protocols, wear mask, wash hands and maintain distance. For this purpose, the museum has prepared health protocol facilities to provide a sense of security and comfort when traveling. Moreover, the museum displaying ancient objects from prehistoric times has implemented a new era of life order, so that implementing health protocols must be carried out for visitors.

The Ancient Human Museum located at Gilimanuk Urban Village, Melaya, Jembrana, is the only museum in Bali which is a settlement site as well as a tomb (Necropolis) from prehistoric times. A trip to the Museum of Ancient Man would be better on weekend, so it is a good time to enjoy with family. Trying out a new place as well as learning about prehistoric times can also be an option. Well, if you are in the Gilimanuk area and its surroundings, try visiting the Gilimanuk Ancient Human Museum. Specifically, domestic tourists who come from Java Island via Gilimanuk Harbor can stop by there.

The museum displays archaeological heritage objects which are priceless assets of the nation. From these relics, it is possible to know the history of human life and compare it to today’s life. This archaeological remains poses the result of excavation carried out by the Denpasar Archaeological Center. In addition, some of these findings are the result of accidental discoveries by the community around the Gilimanuk site. “This accidental discovery was in a residential area as well as in the coastal area of Gilimanuk Bay because on this coast there are still many archaeological remains,” said Acting Head of Jembrana Tourism and Culture Office, AA Ngurah Mahadikara Sadhaka.

The museum built on the Gilimanuk site area is the only ancient human museum in Bali. It plays an important and strategic role as a medium for gaining knowledge, shaping the nation’s character and can be developed into a venue for performances. The Gilimanuk Ancient Human Museum is very strategically located because at the entrance to the western part of Bali. Of course, this becomes a very important capital to attract more tourist visits, especially domestic and foreign tourists. Enjoying the existing ancient objects will provide the learning chiefly those related to history.

Ngurah Mahadikara Sadhaka further explained that the Gilimanuk Ancient Human Museum features eight collections. Firstly, it is the Ancient Human Skeleton, namely the Gilimanuk Ancient Human belonging to Homo sapiens from the Mongoloid Race. At that time, the burial position was like a baby in the womb. This is related to their belief system that people who have died will return to their origin, namely the mother’s womb, for one day they will be reborn (reincarnation).

Secondly, there is the sarcophagus or stone coffin used by the ancient Gilimanuk people, especially for those who are considered influential in people’s life. However, common people are buried without using stone coffin with the same posture. This shows social stratification. Thirdly, there are beads of various colors and whose materials are ranging from glass, stone to bronze. The beads are thought to have come from necklaces, earrings and bracelets in the past, while money was also included in the burial process. Later each process of burial of grave supplies like beads and shells (food scraps) are included in the pottery.

Fourthly, there are pottery utensils in the form of incense burner, pot, brazier, placemat and stone mortar. It is used as a container of food or a means of performing rituals related to the belief system. The brazier and the placemats made of clay which is used as a hearth. It is circular in shape, where its bottom is bigger than the top, the brazier’s body has decorations, and on the upper lip has several protruding parts. The brazier is used as a place to cook, and the bulge on the upper lip as a pedestal for the pot. Placemats are tools made of baked clay (terracotta) with a circular shape and decorated with ornaments, the lower circumference is narrower than the top. This tool is used to put the pot so it doesn’t roll over when used as a food container.

Fifthly, there are stone tools and bone tools in the form of square axes frequently found on the Islands of Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara. This ax is made of basic material of stone having been mashed and honed. It is estimated to enter the territory of Indonesia via the western route from Yunnan to the Malacca Peninsula and then entered the Island of Java via Sumatra, Kalimantan, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara. Archaeologists estimate this object was made as a symbol of greatness, a ceremonial tool, a medium of exchange, and a talisman. The square ax was the first term given by Dr. Van Heine Geldern. This tool is called a square ax because it has a rectangular cross section of the reeds.

Sixthly, samples of soil and pottery ornaments from the Gilimanuk site excavation can reveal the presence of several layers of soil, such as black humus, soil mixed with gray-yellow fine sand, brown soil and sand, gray fine sand, marine biota remains and white fine sand. Some of the Gilimanuk’s pottery shards are decorated with geometric and sharp edges. Seventhly, metal tools in the form of iron and bronze are thought to function as tools for daily activities, and as a means of ceremonies closely related to the belief system of the people in the carpenter era.

Meanwhile, eighthly, there are containers of clay. A technique for making clay objects found in Gilimanuk is estimated to use the take-off technique and the slow turning wheel, influenced by Southeast Asia, similar to Sa-Huynh Kalanay pottery. Similarly, there are various types of pots found at the Gilimanuk Site indicating their high level of civilization. (BTN/015)