The monograph of Harimau Cave and The Long Journey of OKU Civilization is like the fruit of archaeological research in OKU region by the National Archaeological Centre (Pusamas), that took place since 2007. Although earlier in the year 2001-2005 it had been conducted similar studies. in collaboration with foreign institution (Pusamas-lnstitut de Recherche pour le Developpement/IRD), only in 2009 a more intensive study conducted in one of the prehistoric dwelling caves as the primadona to this study, that is Harimau Cave. The cave does not only contain a very abundant wealth of archaeological remains, its walls also keep cave prehistoric art works formerly believed nothing in the region of Sumatra. Rock painting in Harimau Cave seemed to be a bonus for the research that was originally only intended to explore the potential of the dwelling caves in Padang Bindu. Departing from the experience of similar studies in the region, namely in karst areas, the research was accompanied by surveys in the rivers watershed as well as niche and other caves.

Harimau Cave became the focus of discussion in this monograph because the wealth and archaeological potentials contained therein enable a complete reconstruction, both from the aspect of cultural character, lifestyle and human adaptation, or chronology. The articles as well as some archaeological data contained in this monograph is based on research reports about OKU Roots of Civilization which has been prepared by the editors and contributors of the monograph in the last five years. This monograph has deliberately been prepared on parts (chapters) in which there are one or more scientific articles. This strategy is done so that the scientific information can be presented in a more concise and attractive, particularly for nonacademic circles. Archaeological data that have been through the stages of verification and in-depth analysis presented in this monograph to be used as a reference for researchers and academics. Each section begins with a description of the subject matter as well as some information as highlights. Meanwhile, the illustrations deliberately made as attractive as possible to be easily understood and pleasing.

It is true that richness remaining of Harimau Cave is very distinctive, but it is not the only one. Along with tens of other caves in the karst area of Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU), including river sites and other open sites with its remaining, all of them reserve invaluable record of the long journey of OKU civilization.

OGAN KOMERING ULU or more popularly abbreviated as “OKU” is a region of ethnic unit in the province of South Sumatra. The area which is located at coordinates: long. 103°45’00”-104°30’00” E and lat. 4°00’00”-4° 50’00” S is formerly a district named OKU District, but by the expansion in the last decade was divided into three districts, namely OKU District (Induk) with Baturaja as its capital, South OKU District with Muaradua as its capital, and East OKU District with Martapura as its capital.

Geographically OKU occupies the eastern slopes of the Bukit Barisan, bordering with the province of Lampung in the south, the province of Bengkulu in the west, Muara Enim in the north, and Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) District in the northeast. The name “OKU” comes from two major rivers that flank the region, namely the Ogan River in the north and Komering River in the south.

Both flows to the east-northeast, then far in the downstream join the Musi River before emptying into the Strait of Bangka. It is said to be ethnic unit due to the fact that the region’s population comes from an ethnic-called OKU ethnic. Now, through local evolutions as results of adaptation and interaction processes, the ethnic unit undergoes a process of heterogenization to create peculiarities in dialect, customs, and other cultural elements in OKU Induk, East OKU, and South OKU societies.

Based on the geographical point of view, OKU landscape is varied, ranging from the hills with narrow valleys in between until the vast plains. Periodic and episodic rivers carve the landscape, some of them have taken place for thousands of years. In the area of limestone hills, the rivers flow accompanied with chemical weathering by weak acid solution have an impact on the formation of karst morphology, characterized by a natural niches and underground rivers.

The existence of the Bukit Barisan Mountains with its eastern slopes is an important factor that determine the environmental condition in this region at all times. Water supply which is always available in the mountains brought in by the rivers to the plains to create fertile ground. The availability of water conditions the area for the growing proliferation of various types of plants to form a green canopy that is sustainable. These conditions attract different types of animals to live there. All these causality factors have made OKU a region rich in resources which also attract people to dwell, and even enabled them to flourish for generations in a very long time.

Sampul
Introduction
Table of Content
Prolog
Chapter I: OKU in the Order Of Prehistoric Archipelago
     Sumatra and its Problematics in The History of Human
          Abstract
          1. The Effects of Climate Oscilation and Paleogeography on Occupancy in the East Asia Islands
          2. Some Evidences of Early Human Migration to the Archipelago
          3. From Anatomically Modern Human (AMH) to the Austronesia Speakers
          4. Sumatra: An Island both still Mysterious and Promising
Chapter II: OKU Natural Environment
     The History of Geological and Environment of OKU Area:
          Abstract
          1. The History and Regional Geology Order (South Sumatra)
          2. Ranau Lake: Life in the Ogan-Komering Headwaters
          3. Ogan-Komering Rivers: the Life Veins of OKU People
          4. Karst: Gate to the Prehistoric OKU
          5. The Geology of Harimau Cave
          6. Archaeological Potential in the Underground Natural Beauty.Some caves:
     OKU Paleovegetation Based on Palinology Study
          Abstract
          1. Introduction
          2. Actual Vegetation
               a. Vegetation Environment of Harimau Cave
               b. Ranau Lake Vegetation Environment
          3. Palinologi and Phytolith Sampling
          4. The result of Pollen Analysis
          5. The Result of Phytolith Analyses
          6. Discussion and Conclusions
Chapter III: OKU Society and Culture Nowadays
     OKU Today: Retrospection OKU Local Cultural Value
          Abstract
          1. OKU Etnicity
          2. Myth and Legend: Bridge to the Past OKU
          3. Puyang: Ancestor Concept of OKU Society
          4. OKU Community Traditional House
          5. OKU Community Life
          6. OKU has Duku Palembang has Name
Chapter IV: Traces Of Early Civilization OKU
     Paleolitic Tools from Ogan Watershed: Proof of Early
          Abstract
          1. Paleolithic Industry from the Riverbed
          2. General Tipology Paleolitic Mass Tools
          3. Paleolitic Artefact from Ogan Watershed
          4. Cave Dwelling in Karst Area
Chapter V: The Dwellers Of Harimau Cave
     The Graves of The Harimau Cave: A Biocultural
          Abstract
          1. Prehistoric Man Graves in Harimau Cave as an Archeological Feature
          2. Burial System and Physiological Profiles of the Harimau Cave Human Skeletons
          3. The Concept of Belief Underlying the Skeleton Orientation
          4. Burial Goods
          5. Paleopathological Footprints
          6. Footprints of Tradition and Desease on the Dental Caries
          7. Taphonomical Aspects
          8. Significance of Human findings in Harimau Cave
Chapter VI: Chronology And Cultural Pattern In Harimau Cave
     The Characterization of Stone Tools Types and Technology
          Abstract
          1. Introduction
          2. Compilation of Lithic Artifact from Harimau Cave
               a. Aspects of Raw Materials and Procurement
               b. Traces of Pre-Débitage Heating (Traitement Thermique)
               c. Flaking Techniques
               d. Splinting Methods
               e. Retouched Flakes Artifacts
               f. Use-Ground Tool and Other Special Types of Artifacts
               g. Chronology and Cultural Context
               h. Conclusion
     Traces of Fauna Utilization in Harimau Cave Site
          Abstract
          1. Introduction
          2. Description of Data and Methods of Analysis
          3. Taxonomic Analysis
          4. Taphonomic Analysis
          5. Artefactual Analysis
          6. Conclusion
     Pottery from Harimau Cave
          Abstract
          1. Introduction
          2. Data Overview
          3. Containers Shape Reconstruction
          4. Pottery Technology
          5. Surface Conditions
          6. Surface Colors
          7. Making Techniques
          8. Ornamental Shapes
          9. Contextual Overview
          10. Perspective
     Traces Of Paleometalik Culture and Its Chronology
          Abstract
          1. Preface
          2. Description of Data
          3. Method of Analysis
          4. Bronze Artifacts
               a. Bronze Bracelets
               b. Bronze Ax Soejono I Type
          5. Iron Artifacts
          6. Chronology and Cultural Implication
          7. Conclusion
     Rock Art Pattern in Harimau Cave Site in South
          Abstract
          1. Preface
          2. Research Method
          3. Research Location
          4. Results and Discussion
               a. Harimau Cave Existence on the Distribution of Rock Art in Indonesia
               b. Detailed Description of the Rock Art of Harimau Cave
          5. Conclusion
Epilog
Editor Profile