The Shape and Symbolism of Ancient Gravestones Around Tonjong District, Central Java: Effort to Find Cultural Roots

Muthia Zahri Mardhiyah and Adhi Agus Oktaviana

Ancient gravestones serve more than just grave markers, they represent symbols of power and cultural identity and are rich with meaning. However, Dutch colonial intervention in Java in the 18th century through cultural politics resulted in the community losing access to its authentic culture. The fragmentation between Javanese and Islamic cultures triggered by colonialism created a disconnection between Islamic and Javanese symbolism in the community's collective memory. This study explains the meaning of the shape and symbols on ancient gravestones in Central Java, especially around Tonjong District as a peripheral region. This study aims to provide an overview of the ancestral cultural roots of the surrounding community. It uses the seven-stage methodology which formulation, implementation, data collection, data processing, analysis, interpretation, and publication. It also uses symbolic archaeology theory and cultural materials as active, creative, and contextual entities. Field findings show that the gravestones in this region have characteristics of the 18th-century Mataram style, with Demak-type morphology and pointed mustakas resembling Meru. Symbols such as the padma, variations of the tumpal, the purnama sidhi, and geometric lines were found as key decorative elements. The research concludes that there is a cultural continuity between pre-Islamic and Islamic traditions, as represented in the gravestones, and also proves that the Mataram style continued to be distributed even to the peripheral regions.