Is one of the relics of the perundagian (bronze-iron). Flattened shape the tip of the oval and tapers at the bottom, made from a slab of bronze. On the both sides each feature a pair of small protrusions which are decorated with the motif of concentric circles. The top is decorated with the motif of the mask, or disguise , which is depicted with a grinning mouth, so that it shows the second his fangs. The eyes are depicted oval, the hair is depicted with the system krawangan that was coiled on top of his head. On the part of the body are embellished with motifs of spirals and concentric circles. The second motif is a symbol of the ravages of time and the continuity of the life, continuity, or the hope that life becomes longer and better.
The motive of the guise, or mask is a decorative motif-laden symbolic meaning, the whole face is penggabaran of the ancestors, while the part of the eye is considered to have supernatural powers that are able to repel the influence of evil spirits. Because it's motif is very popular primarily for objects that serve as a means of uoacara religious.
In prehistoric times the objects were made of bronze, is generally used as a means of ceremony. Because the process of making bronze objects more difficult so special objects that tend to be aimed at the ancestors with the expectation that the ancestors are willing to help and even protect the continuity of human life, in all aspects of life, mainly associated with the success in the processing of the fields and hunt animals.
One technology that stands out in prehistoric times start from the Paleolithik to the perundagian is an ax. Because an axe is a weapon that has a variety of functions from agriculture to hunting. Surya stambha is one form of an axe that is made specifically for the benefit of the ceremony as the axe candrasa.
In general, for the purposes of day-to-day used is an axe made of stone kalapun using bronze material usually is not equipped with the garnish . In the later bronze objects used also as one of the dowry, which is also the symbol of the social status of a person.
Collection of Surya stambha is made of metal with a length of 150 cm width : 30 cm : Width of the middle of 12.5 cm, bottom width 9 cm and 2 cm thick. .
Shaped flat length with the tip curved / circular which is getting to the bottom getting smaller . on both sides ( right and left ) are small protrusions (the legs) are made of four flats , each apartment consists of two (2) protrusion ,a total of eight (8) made symmetrical left and right. The current conditions of the foot on the right of stay of seven (7) while the leg on the left live six (6), because of a broken . The front side and the back of each is given a decorative motif, which is the same, namely the motif of the mask and the geometric form of a double circle , dots, cross and double spiral.
To facilitate the description, the Surya Stambha will be divided into three (3) parts , namely
1. The upper part ( head )
Round egg shaped, the middle part is decorated with the motif of the mask , depicting a full two eyes , a nose, lips and ears, on her cheeks described a scratch that possibility bertjuan to make the shape of the cheek bones. The technique used in making this motif is the scratch technique . around the perimeter of the head decorated with circle motifs sight which consists of two stacking the possibility of describing the hair ( ? ) right in the middle there is the motif of the circle double that serves as a point losses in this thing . On each susunnya decorated with the motif a, motif cross and circle double the number twelve (12) . on the art of the Hindu , the shape of a circle in the back of the head is often disebt as siras chakra ( symbol of purity ).
2. The middle part ( body )
At the bottom of the head is equipped with a neck and shoulder without both arms. The body is divided into two part which are separated by a double line , in the intent-each side decorated with motifs of the double gyre a six (6) the last part is closed with the line. The protrusions on both sides of each numbered two (2) and still complete. His form is getting to the bottom getting smaller.
3. The lower part ( legs )
On the part of the foot is not visible presence of ornamental motifs whatever, in the middle looks the presence of haris elongated as separating the right and left sides. On both sides is equipped with a protrusion which is likely to illustrate the foot of each six (6). The right part of the lives of the four and the left part of the remaining five (5). The tip curved . The presence of protrusion patterned such as depicting the legs of a particular animal ( reptile ). This possibility can be associated with the belief system of the community at the time it believed that the ancestors they will be transformed into a particular animal and will keep your little ups and downs that when this life in the world. This belief is even still alive to this day. The reptile that is much revered among others, crocodiles, lizards and monitor lizards,
Some observers put the Surya Stambha in one form of the hatchet ceremony the results of the technology on the perundagian, analogous to the findings of bronze axes for the ceremony that is usually decorated with the motif of guise , in addition the outline of the shape resembles the axe Napier. There are also experts that connect these objects as a symbol of the cult of the sun ( Surya ) as seen from the morif the guise of a dikeilingi luminous flux and elongated shape such as a milestone or tower ( stambha ). So it's often referred to as the “Surya Stambha”. Until now there has been no further studies that tried to explore the meaning of simblis on the protrusions on both sides of the Surya Stambha arranged in patterned and symmetrical on both sides.
Surya Stambha is one of the relics of the perundagian that originated from Nusa Tenggara Timur . Until now the objects of this kind has never been found , there is only one in East Nusa Tenggara in a smaller form . From various observations and the results of the comparison with the bronze artifacts in prehistoric times, visible difference in the techniques of workmanship to be one of the benchmarks to determine its function. Surya Stambha clearly seen done with a printing technique that then finishing or penghalusannya with the techniques of forging, this indicates that the object is created specifically and is used for certain events as well as belongs only to a particular person.
Some of the motifs that decorate the Surya Stambha and the form as a whole that leads to the reptile-legged a lot, likely indicates the presence of a belief or worship to the ancestors of the later transformed into animals ( Totemism ), which means these objects as gembaran form of the ancestors that will always keep them. If you see a pattern of social life of prehistoric peoples in East Nusa Tenggara, the possibility of the objects of this marupakan belongs to a Tribal Chief . A symbol of strength, power and divine .