# What were the terraces for? · Gunung Padang > Two answers have been proposed. The terraces were a punden berundak, a terraced sanctuary for rites to ancestral spirits, with the most… leads, with… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gunung-padang/questions/QST0D32CGQ45H37/what-were-the-terraces-for Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:34+00:00 --- **0** # What were the terraces for? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [When were the visible terraces built?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gunung-padang/questions/QST0D32CFZP79AD/when-were-the-visible-terraces-built)·2 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: the terraces were a punden berundak, a terraced sanctuary for rites to ancestral spirits, with the most…** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Two answers have been proposed. The terraces were a punden berundak, a terraced sanctuary for rites to ancestral spirits, with the most… leads, with evidence 2 for: supported by its tests. One is still possible. ## Why it matters Whatever its depth, the visible site is a monument with a function; the archaeological reading is a terraced shrine to ancestors⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D32C94Y0EXV/punden-berundak-gunung-padang-refleksi-adaptasi-lingkungan)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D32C8DG685C/javas-megalithic-mountain)⁠[[3]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D32C9MJ78HP/teka-teki-situs-gunung-padang-bukan-piramida-tapi-punden). ## Answers 2 [**The terraces were a punden berundak, a terraced sanctuary for rites to ancestral spirits, with the most…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gunung-padang/answers/ANS0D32CRH40YWD/the-terraces-were-a-punden-berundak-a-terraced-sanctuary-for) Supported by its tests Evidence: 2 for Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gunung-padang/answers/ANS0D32CS8J428A/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible ## History 1. 2014[Yondri puts forward: the terraces were a punden berundak, a terraced sanctuary for rites to ancestral spirits, with the most…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D32C94Y0EXV/punden-berundak-gunung-padang-refleksi-adaptasi-lingkungan) 1. 2024[Powell: pottery and a grinding stone but no animal bone from feasting; a stone well at the foot of terrace 1.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D32C8DG685C/javas-megalithic-mountain)For: The terraces were a punden berundak, a terraced sanctuary for rites to ancestral spirits, with the most… 1. 2024[Sofian: the terraced layout matches the punden berundak tradition of Indonesian megalithic sites.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D32C9MJ78HP/teka-teki-situs-gunung-padang-bukan-piramida-tapi-punden)For: The terraces were a punden berundak, a terraced sanctuary for rites to ancestral spirits, with the most… 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/gunung-padang/questions/QST0D32CGQ45H37/what-were-the-terraces-for%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/QST0D32CGQ45H37/what-were-the-terraces-for%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/QST0D32CGQ45H37/what-were-the-terraces-for%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/QST0D32CGQ45H37/what-were-the-terraces-for%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/QST0D32CGQ45H37/what-were-the-terraces-for%23add-source) Where it fits Gunung Padang [**When were the visible terraces built?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/gunung-padang/questions/QST0D32CFZP79AD/when-were-the-visible-terraces-built)Key question · The terraces were built over several generations from about the 2nd to the 1st century BC and used for… **What were the terraces for?** You're here · the terraces were a punden berundak, a terraced sanctuary for rites to ancestral spirits, with the most… [ Ask a question under this one ]