Talks about the history is quite interesting for many people. In fact, while the experts gave the idea that humans might not be able to leave its history. Easy to understand that the statement was in essence implies that history or past life journey in a group of human beings and the occupied territories is very important. The nature of the importance of it not solely because of the history of human groups have been able to take it up to life in the present as well as allow them to continue the journey into the future, but more than that. History is also able to make the man in question has the ideals of quality of life and he wants to achieve or accomplishment. Of course the condition, social groups should be wise in a sustainable way to take lessons from history that has passed. Note also the very significant expression ever heard, which essentially states that a great nation is a nation that is able to appreciate its history.

Once again like to stress that a brief description that has been stated above, would be enough to give an understanding that an understanding of the history of a group of people, tribes, as well as a nation-including the occupied territories, is very necessary because it can provide meaning that no measurable amount of social group or nation concerned. However, it should also be noted that historical descriptions of a representative set is not an easy task. Many things can be inhibiting. Among the many obstacles, it is the lack of data or documents that can provide the necessary materials for the preparation of history, is the biggest obstacle faced by the drafters of common history.



It was said above applies also in the effort to the preparation of the history of Bali, especially Ancient History of Bali. Closely related to these circumstances, it should be emphasized here that a brief description of the Ancient History of Bali which is presented below, it really quick, even in some parts still have an unsolved problem due to lack of necessary data. However, in terms of the main problems to be revealed in this book, a brief description of the Ancient History of Bali, it is expected to provide useful insight to his reading. Those who want to get a dish of Bali Ancient History description more complete, of course, obliged to look at other sources.



Bali Before the year 800

Initial milestone span of ancient Bali, is the eighth century. On the basis that the period before the year 800 did not actually include the ancient Bali. General description of the period is expected to be the cornerstone of the Bali pemicaraan Ancient, to realize a more complete description. Picture 800-year period before it covers the prehistoric period Balinese and foreign news about Bali, particularly from China.

Prehistoric scene of Bali are basically in accordance with the scene of prehistoric Indonesia as a whole. It includes the scene of the life stages of hunting and gathering food (both simple and advanced levels), time of planting, and the perundagian or proficiency teknik.1

Relics of the hunt and gather food simple level found in the village Sembiran and the east coast and southeast of Lake Batur. Relics in the form perimbas ax, ax hand-held, hand-held chisels, and shaved (Soejono, 1962: 34-43; Heekeren, 1972: 46). The next stage of life, ie, the hunting and gathering the information, leaving the evidence in Selonding Cave, Coral Cave I Boma, Boma Coral Caves II is located in the limestone hills Pecatu (Badung). Evidence that among other tools of bone and deer antler, as well as leftover food, the shells and sea slugs, deer and pig teeth (Sutaba, 1980: 15). Similar evidence is found also in Goa Gede Nusa Penida (Suastika, 2005: 30-31).

At planting time, the population of Bali has been increasing and spreading more and more widespread. Cultural heritage objects they found in Palasari, Pulukan, Kediri, Kerambitan, Bantiran. Kesiman, Ubud, Ubud, Pejeng, Selulung, Strait, Nusa Penida, and some villages in Buleleng. They were generally in the form of tools and utensils used in everyday life, such as axes and chisels long rectangular stones. These artifacts in the can as finding out, in a sense, not a result of the systematic excavations (Sutaba, 1980: 19; cf. Suastika, 1985: 30-33).

Perundagian is the scene of last period of prehistory. Finding objects from this period include a nekara (in Pejeng, bebitra, and Peguyangan), trowel, hand and ankle bracelets, rings, earrings, belts, and protective finger (Sutaba, 1980: 23-25) . Other relics from this period are molded from a rock in the village nekara Manuaba and a number of sarcophagi were found in the village Nongan, squirrels, Bedulu, Mas, Tegallalang, Plaga, Ambyarsari, Poh Asem, Tigawasa, and Cacang (Sutaba, 1980: 25-26).

It is known that the sarcophagus is one of the means or place of burial. Other burial container there is also a crock. Tradition with a sarcophagus and burial jars appear simultaneously with the megalithic tradition in Indonesia, including Bali. Burial in secondary burial jars are way, which is performed after the burial of the bodies were buried in the first place (primary burial). May be added that in prehistoric sites Gilimanuk secondary burials were also found ways without the use of container. There, at the time of the primary burial, the bodies of adults and a child buried with lengthwise or folded position. Then, specific bones are collected to be buried back in the ground (secondary burials) without using a container (Soejono, 1977: 191-192, 223-227).

Sarcophagus and other relics from the megalithic tradition more days more and more to find. Relics, among others, a sacred building which consists of layered stone, menhir, terraces (in Selulung, Batukaang, Tenganan Pegringsingan, Sembiran, and Trunyan), the throne of stone, menhir statues, stone mortar, stone troughs, and stone dakon ( in Gelgel), and simple statues symbolizing ancestors found in Poh Asem, Depaa, and Pura Besakih in dea Keramas (Covarrubias, 1972: 26; 167-168; Sutaba, 1980b: 30; 1982: 107-108; 1995 : 88-93; Mahaviranata, 1982: 119-127; Oka, 1985: 118-129).

The ability to produce cultural objects that have been mentioned can not be separated from the development of the social aspects of economic, social and cultural (including religious), technological, and so achieved a prehistoric society. Some things about the aspects mentioned below.

The experts seem to agree that farming life is a "milestone" progress of human civilization is very important. Among them, some have suggested that changes to the stage of life it is the first revolution, and very large in the history of human civilization. According H.R. van Heekeren, the ancestor of this local culture in Indonesia, including those in Bali, has spread from mainland Southeast Asia. They entered the islands more or less in 1500-1000 BC, after a long journey by land, river and sea (1955: 40-42).

Encourage farming life they live and build a permanent settlement with the regular organization. They had known the trade, at least with the system of exchange of goods in kind. Their religious life is growing. Implementation based on the concept of ceremonial magic (sympathic magic) before hunting activity (Kosasih, 1985: 159), is one thing that started the development of their religious life. They also believed in "life" after death, in a sense, they believe that ancestral spirits have the ability to organize, protect, and bless the people who are still alive, or otherwise punish his descendants if it is done wrong. This can be evidenced, among others, the community treatment of the bodies of the deceased or the funeral ceremonies are held.

Progress in various aspects of life achieved in the more fertile planting and growing rapidly in the perundagian, ie, which is the final stage of the prehistoric period and at the same time the history penjelang Bali. In the field of technology, Balinese people at itu2 been able to do the smelting of metal ores, metal casting in order to manufacture an object, 3, and adorn his creations objects with certain motives. Capabilities, reflect the high level of progress in the field piroteknologi (pyrotechnology) which has dicapai.4 It is said that, because all the work they require heat to very high temperatures.

The population is increasing rapidly enable villages to grow more and more and grow more rapidly. Life worked together increasingly necessary, diversified in various aspects of life, both with regard to livelihood as well as the duties and functions of a person or group of people in the community, growing as well. Social groups with specific skills, such as those skilled in the fields of architecture, sculpture, art of percussion, and dance, the more needed by the community and not necessarily accelerate the realization of a heterogeneous society. Furthermore, it is easy to understand that in a heterogeneous society that have been described are the various interests of certain parties who need to be coordinated in order to reach an optimal goal of community living. This situation requires the presence of the leader or leaders are authoritative. In other words, a leader figure, which may at first as the primus inter pares, it becomes increasingly important. It reflects both the society of that time has come to know the social stratification, although that is still in embryonic form. The existence of this, but can be understood as a logical consequence of the supreme leader and the head of each social group, the system also gives hints of burial is very meaningful. Apparently, only the people who occupy a position of honor in his day it was buried in a sarcophagus or crock. Instead, the bodies of ordinary people mostly buried in the soil.