Prambanan Temple Complex To Be Dismantled: Central Java, Indonesia

An investigation by Yogyakarta's Ancient Heritage Preservation Agency has shown that the Prambanan Hindu Temple Complex east of the city has to be dismantled and rebuilt because of damage caused by the recent earthquake in the city.

Apparently the main Shiva temple, Candi Loro Jonggrang, has sunk ten centimetres, and, a lot of repairs are needed to the fallen sculptures. The 47 meter high temple could break apart if it slants more and sinks deeper. According to a professor of archaeology at the Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Timbul Haryono, the whole complex should be dismantled and rebuilt in the same manner as Borobudur was if it is to remain for a long period of time. The whole foundation needs to be made solid.

Restoration of the Borobudur complex began in 1973 under the guidance of UNESCO. This complex was taken apart block by block, numbered and the blocks cleaned and chemically treated for preservation, and then pieced back together. The final re-construction was completed in 1983. It is expected a similar approach will be taken with the Hindu Complex of Prambanan.

The earthquake of May 27th also damaged other temples, including Plaosan, Sojiwan, and Sewu temples and they also have be dismantled. All these temples are to be found on the archaeologically rich Prambanan Plain.