Hardenberg Fort Site Must Be Preserved: Archaeologists

Ambon (Antara Maluku) - An archaeologist from the Archaeological Office of Ambon, Syahruddin Mansyur, has asked the communities, particularly those settled in West Seram district, to preserve the Hardenberg fort located in Hoamoal sub district.

"The fort is a historical site dating back to the arrival of the Europeans in Maluku," he said here Tuesday.

Syahruddin hoped that the people do not indulge in activities that could damage the structure of the fort. He said that according to the local people, about two years ago, an excavation carried out at the site had damaged the ladder structure in the fort.

He explained that the Hardenberg fort was built by the Dutch trading company, Vereenigde forts Oostindische Compagnie (VOC). It was discovered by the Ambon Archaeological Team in June 2014, when they were researching the 16th century clove illegal trade in Hoamoal areas.

The fort only has a former rectangular foundation left, with a ladder in the center.

Due to its historical values, the location of this archaeological site must be protected and preserved, Syahruddin said.

He explained that, according to the Dutch pictorial data of 1644, the Hardenberg fort was a defense building type or a redoubt, rectangular in shape and had two levels. One side of the building had a staircase that led to the upper level.

The document also mentioned that the Hardenberg fort was in the same cluster area with several other buildings that were surrounded by a fence.

"We still need further study to unveil the structure of the fort. This should be done carefully to avoid any damage to the structure. Presumably, this fort has a basement because it has a staircase structure," Syahruddin said.