# Were the buried andesite columns placed by people or are they in natural position? · Gunung Padang > Three answers have been proposed. The buried columns are in or near their natural position, cooled in place or slumped downslope. leads, with evidence 1… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gunung-padang/questions/QST0D32CG7G23PE/were-the-buried-andesite-columns-placed-by-people-or-are Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:34+00:00 --- **0** # Were the buried andesite columns placed by people or are they in natural position? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Is there a human-built structure inside the hill older than the visible terraces?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gunung-padang/questions/QST0D32CFQW3F1A/is-there-a-human-built-structure-inside-the-hill-older-than)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: the buried columns are in or near their natural position, cooled in place or slumped downslope** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. The buried columns are in or near their natural position, cooled in place or slumped downslope. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters The buried-pyramid model treats Unit 3 columns as placed masonry⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D32C7E83H62/retracted-geo-archaeological-prospecting-of-gunung-padang); the critics treat them as natural jointing and slump⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D32C85P3MSD/experts-doubt-claims-that-worlds-oldest-pyramid-was). A magnetic-orientation study begun in 2025 is the first test aimed at this point⁠[[3]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D32CB3E7VPD/gunung-padang-re-reading-an-ancient-site-between-science-and). ## Answers 3 [**The buried columns are in or near their natural position, cooled in place or slumped downslope.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gunung-padang/answers/ANS0D32CPJM1CC2/the-buried-columns-are-in-or-near-their-natural-position) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gunung-padang/answers/ANS0D32CQ284E0A/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**The buried columns were moved and set by people.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gunung-padang/answers/ANS0D32CP304SDC/the-buried-columns-were-moved-and-set-by-people) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for Still possible ## History 1. 2023[Natawidjaja et al. puts forward: the buried columns were moved and set by people.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D32C7E83H62/retracted-geo-archaeological-prospecting-of-gunung-padang) 1. 2023[Lewis puts forward: the buried columns are in or near their natural position, cooled in place or slumped downslope.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D32C85P3MSD/experts-doubt-claims-that-worlds-oldest-pyramid-was) 1. 2023[Lewis: natawidjaja argues the stones are too orderly and too massive to have been moved that far by nature.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D32C85P3MSD/experts-doubt-claims-that-worlds-oldest-pyramid-was)For: The buried columns were moved and set by people. 1. 2024[Powell: columnar jointing is the natural form of the andesite at the site.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D32C8DG685C/javas-megalithic-mountain)For: The buried columns are in or near their natural position, cooled in place or slumped downslope. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/gunung-padang/questions/QST0D32CG7G23PE/were-the-buried-andesite-columns-placed-by-people-or-are%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/gunung-padang/questions/QST0D32CG7G23PE/were-the-buried-andesite-columns-placed-by-people-or-are%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/gunung-padang/questions/QST0D32CG7G23PE/were-the-buried-andesite-columns-placed-by-people-or-are%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/gunung-padang/questions/QST0D32CG7G23PE/were-the-buried-andesite-columns-placed-by-people-or-are%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/gunung-padang/questions/QST0D32CG7G23PE/were-the-buried-andesite-columns-placed-by-people-or-are%23add-source) Where it fits Gunung Padang [**Is there a human-built structure inside the hill older than the visible terraces?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gunung-padang/questions/QST0D32CFQW3F1A/is-there-a-human-built-structure-inside-the-hill-older-than)Key question · most likely the core is a volcanic body with natural columnar jointing; the deep layers are weathered and slumped columns… [Do the geophysical anomalies mark chambers inside the hill?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gunung-padang/questions/QST0D32CGFA2MBT/do-the-geophysical-anomalies-mark-chambers-inside-the-hill)Open · 3 answers, inconclusive **Were the buried andesite columns placed by people or are they in natural position?** You're here · the buried columns are in or near their natural position, cooled in place or slumped downslope [ Ask a question under this one ]