Determining The Age of Temples

Some archaelogists use several methods to determine the age or the building period of a temple. The first one is based on the inscription. For example, Manjusrigrha Inscription was dated in 792 A.D. Manjusrigrha is the real name of Sewu (hundred) Temple. Sivagrha Inscription which was dated 856 A.D. is related to Prambanan Temple. Kalasan Inscription which was dated 887 A.D. is related to Kalasan Temple.

The building period of a temple can be seen from Candrasengkala. ”Gapuro buto mangan wong” is candrasengkala at Sukuh Temple which means that the temple was built on 1437 A.D. (the last period of Majapahit).

The second method is by comparing the art of the building or the temple architecture. This method is used if there is no inscription found. For example at Gedongsongo Temple. Based on the architecture of the temple, especially regarding the shape of the temple’s foot frame, the complex of Gedongsongo Temple is predicted to be from the same period as the complex of Dieng Temple which was built in 8th century A.D. during the reign of Sanjaya Dynasty.

Gebang Temple in Yogyakarta. Based on the shape of the temple’s foot which has high proportion, Van Romandt, an archaeologist said that Gebang Temple was built during the old period (730 - 800 A.D.).

The third method is by conducting a palaeography research. Paleography is the science which studies the types, shapes, characteristics, and the development of ancient letters. According to archaeologist N.J. Krom and Stutterheim, Sewu Temple was built in the end of the 9th century.

Check out my other guide on The Shapes of Temples
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