Periodization of Prehistoric Bali

The island of Bali has a long history that began long before the era of written records, when the first prehistoric humans set foot on the island. Bali’s prehistoric era was marked by the arrival of various human species such as Homo erectus and Homo sapiens, as well as the migration of several Homo sapiens races, including Melanesoid and Mongoloid groups, which formed the early foundation of the modern Balinese population.

AI Illustration The Arrival of Homo Sapiens in Bali (Source: Personal Collection)

The oldest evidence of human existence on the island of Bali was discovered through the finding of artifacts such as stone tools and human skeletal remains estimated to be around 40,000 years old. Other important discoveries include stone sarcophagi and various prehistoric tools scattered across different locations in Bali. The people who came and settled on the island of Bali had Austronesian linguistic roots, which proves that the ancestors of the Balinese were skilled seafarers who undertook maritime migrations from mainland Southeast Asia. The Austronesian migration theory is supported by similarities in language, culture, and artifacts found throughout the Indonesian archipelago, indicating the existence of an extensive maritime and trade network during prehistoric times.

The periodization of the prehistoric era in Bali can be divided into four main phases: the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), Neolithic (New Stone Age), and the Bronze–Iron Age (Metal Age). It is important to understand that the term “prehistoric” does not merely refer to the use of stone as the primary material, but rather to the period before societies developed writing systems. Even civilizations that had already mastered the use of metals such as bronze and iron are still categorized as prehistoric if they had not yet developed any form of written record.

AI Illustration The Four Eras of Prehistoric Times (Source: Personal Collection)

During the Paleolithic period, the early inhabitants of Bali used simple tools made of stone. Archaeological discoveries reveal the presence of chopping tools (choppers) and splitting tools that were used for hunting and processing food. Entering the Mesolithic period, stone tool–making technology advanced with the emergence of hand axes and flake tools that were more refined and sharper. The Neolithic period marked a revolution in the life of Balinese humans with the discovery of polished stone tools such as oval and rectangular axes, adzes, and various agricultural implements, indicating a shift from hunting and gathering to farming. In the Metal Age (Perundagian period), the Balinese began to master metalworking, especially bronze and iron, producing objects such as bronze drums (nekara), moko, bronze axes, and jewelry.

The settlement patterns of prehistoric humans in Bali evolved over time. In the Paleolithic era, people still lived a nomadic life, taking shelter in caves. Some caves once inhabited by prehistoric humans in Bali include Goa Sembiran and several caves in southern Bali. Evidence of cave habitation has been found in the form of artifacts and food remains such as piles of shells and animal bones. By the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods, the lifestyle gradually transitioned from semi-nomadic to fully settled, with the establishment of permanent villages. Food acquisition during this time involved hunting, collecting, foraging, and gathering. Adult men, armed with various weapons such as bows and spears, engaged in hunting activities to obtain food, while women were primarily responsible for collecting, foraging, and gathering.

One of the most important prehistoric sites in Bali is the Gilimanuk civilization, located in the western part of the island at the tip of the Prapat Agung Peninsula. According to archaeologists, Gilimanuk was a strategic settlement due to its position near the mouth of the Bali Strait, which connects Bali and Java. The site offered abundant food resources from both the sea and forests, and served as a hub for inter-island trade and migration. Archaeological excavations at Gilimanuk uncovered dozens of human skeletons buried in a folded position along with grave goods such as jewelry, pottery, and bronze and iron tools. These findings provide a vivid picture of the social life, technology, and belief systems of Bali’s prehistoric society. The Gilimanuk site is estimated to have been active from the Neolithic period to the early historical era, around 500 BC to 500 AD.

AI Illustration Gilimanuk in the Prehistoric Era (Source: Personal Collection)

The belief system of prehistoric Balinese society was dominated by Animism and Dynamism. Animism is the belief that all things whether living or non-living possess a spirit or soul that must be respected. People believed that the spirits of their ancestors, animals, plants, and even stones and mountains held spiritual power that could influence their lives. Meanwhile, Dynamism refers to the belief in supernatural forces residing within certain objects such as kris daggers, large stones, or ancient trees. Evidence of these beliefs can be seen in the grave goods discovered at the Gilimanuk site, including bead jewelry, bronze bracelets, and pottery, which were believed to be items that the soul would use in the afterlife. This tradition of ancestor worship later evolved and blended with Hindu-Buddhist influences that arrived afterward, forming a unique belief system that continues to be reflected in modern Balinese Hinduism. In addition to these findings, there are also discoveries of simple prehistoric statues in Bali. Prehistoric statues in Bali are part of the megalithic tradition that developed when communities began to settle permanently and build belief systems centered on ancestral spirits during the Perundagian period. These statues served as media for worship and as symbols of the ancestors’ presence, who were believed to possess sacred powers capable of protecting the community, ensuring fertility, and warding off malevolent forces. Discoveries of simple statues in areas such as Trunyan, Poh Asem, Depeha, and Bugbug indicate that prehistoric Balinese communities required visual representations to act as intermediaries between the human world and the spiritual realm, leading to their placement in sacred spaces with high religious significance.

Prehistoric Statue from Poh Asem, Buleleng (Source: Tinjauan Patung Sederhana di Bali, Department of Education and Culture)

Artistically, prehistoric Balinese statues have simple forms characterized by round faces, bulging eyes, large or flat noses, thick lips, and bodies carved without realistic anatomical proportions. Many statues are depicted nude with prominent genitalia, symbolizing fertility and the continuity of life within an agrarian society. This primitive style is not merely a result of technical limitations but represents a philosophical expression of sacredness, protection, and the connection between humans and cosmic forces in prehistoric times. Thus, prehistoric statues serve not only as evidence of the early development of Balinese sculptural art but also as reflections of the worldview of ancient Balinese societies, who saw the world as filled with unseen spiritual powers.

The social organization of Balinese society during prehistoric times developed dynamically alongside advances in technology and shifts in human lifestyles. In the early stages, Balinese people lived a nomadic or semi-nomadic life (band society). These were small groups that used simple stone tools characteristic of the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods. Their main activities were hunting and gathering, with group sizes generally numbering fewer than a hundred individuals. Such groups were typically composed of one or several nuclear families who lived together and relied on one another for survival.

As technology and knowledge advanced, prehistoric communities began to settle permanently and practiced agriculture and animal husbandry. According to the classification of social organization proposed by Elman Service, societies during the Neolithic period can be categorized as Segmentary Societies, with populations reaching up to around one thousand people. During this time, Neolithic culture in Southeast Asia including Bali was influenced by the spread of Austronesian-speaking peoples of Mongoloid descent. Archaeological evidence suggests that these communities had developed basic agricultural systems, cultivating various crops such as fruits, tubers, and grains.

Toward the end of the prehistoric period, the social structure of Balinese society evolved into chiefdoms. This is evidenced by the discovery of fragments of bronze drum molds (nekara) at Pura Puseh, Manuaba Village, Tegallalang, Gianyar. These findings indicate the development of bronze technology and the emergence of metal craftsmen who held high social status. The use of stone sarcophagi by certain individuals also suggests the existence of social stratification. Furthermore, it is believed that these tribal communities had fortified settlements that served not only as residential areas but also as centers for religious and social activities.

AI Illustration Social Organization of Tribal Communities in Bali (Source: Personal Collection)

Studies of Bali’s prehistoric era continue to develop through ongoing research in archaeology, anthropology, and linguistics. New discoveries constantly enhance our understanding of how early humans lived, migrated, and developed civilization on the island of Bali. This prehistoric legacy is not only significant from an academic perspective but also forms an integral part of Bali’s rich and diverse cultural identity that continues to thrive to this day.