Hydrogeological solution to the 600-year-old mystery of the terracotta ring wells in Majapahit, Indonesia
摘要
Within the realm of the Majapahit Empire, Indonesia (ca. 730 to 550 BCE), terracotta ring wells were used as latrines. Such use discontinued after the demise of the empire and no traces are found of them elsewhere in the Indonesian Archipelago. This mystery of their abandonment at Majapahit has never previously been explored but a viable solution is presented here based on historical precedents, hydrogeological reasoning and climate change.