Environmental Study for the Conservation of the Simawang Megalitic Site, Lake Singkarak, West Sumatera

Abstract

The Menhir Simawang site is located in the northeastern part of Lake Singkarak on a hillside with residential areas in the valley. The uniqueness of the Menhir Simawang site is located on a hill facing northeast, where Mount Sago is located. This mountain is one of the mountains that was considered sacred in the minds of the Minang people in the past. The aim is to find out in advance the local wisdom of the Simawang people in the past in adapting to their environment. The second utilizes environmental studies for site conservation. This study uses qualitative methods, using inductive reasoning. To sharpen environmental analysis in conservation, primary data (field) and secondary data analysis is carried out through maps. The excavation results show that the menhirs are related to the burial pits which are oriented northeast-southwest. The selection of a burial site on the top of a hill and the division of its terraced space is one of the implementations of the concept and social structure, as well as the beliefs of the Simawang people. The belief that when someone dies, the spirit will return to the top, so to bring it closer to the upper world, it must be placed in a higher place than their settlement. Local wisdom in choosing land as a grave or settlement is a form of human adaptation to the environment. This local wisdom can be a lesson for us today.