Inp.polri.go.id - Jambi. The Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region V Jambi has discovered an ancient statue and pieces of gold in Kota Kapur, Bangka Regency, confirming the area’s significance as an early Nusantara civilization center. 

“The artifacts are now stored at the National Research and Innovation Agency for further study,” BPK Region V Head Agus Widiatmoko said on Sunday (30/11/2025), as reported by antaranews.com.

The findings were made in a settlement site spanning 154 hectares, located along a riverside and surrounded by an ancient fort, trenches, and old port structures. Additional discoveries include glass bottles, ceramic fragments from China, gold coins, gold bars, and bead jewelry.

Kota Kapur sits on a hilly landscape marked by Bukit Besar, a natural landmark visible from the Bangka Strait. However, mining activities around the foothills have damaged the environment and reduced vegetation.

Most of the land within the site is now used for rubber, pepper, durian, and rice farming, prompting calls for joint efforts to revitalize and protect the cultural heritage area.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)