Ancient graves reappear in Gajah Mungkur Reservoir

Ancient graves have reappeared at the bottom of the Gajah Mungkur Reservoir in Wonogiri, Central Java, due to receding water levels caused by the dry season. The graves, which appear to be made of limestone, vary in size from approximately half a meter to two meters. While some tombstones remain intact with visible carvings, others have been eroded by time and water currents.

Soemardjono Fadjari, the Camat of Wuryantoro, noted that this is a recurring annual phenomenon during the dry season. He observed that the appearance of the graves has been slightly delayed this year, occurring in September rather than August, due to a slower rate of water depletion.

Access to the sites remains difficult, as visitors must walk across the drying reservoir floor through muddy and wet terrain. Consequently, there has been no significant surge in tourism; most people in the area are local residents engaged in fishing or farming.