The first evidences of human appearance in Bali date back to the Stone Age, tens of thousands years ago, with the founding of few artifacts that are believed to be reminiscent of small bands of hunter-gatherers. These prehistoric bands lived and foraged in Bali’s jungle and scavenged the tidal pools of the island. Many Paleolithic implements have been found near Sembiran in northen Bali, and there is also evidence in the form of rectangular stone adzes, axes, blades, hoes and picks used by a Neolithic people of Bali.

The most spectacular remains of Neolithic civilization in Bali are remain of Neolithic settlement and a burial site of 100 mongoloid adults and children which were found in Cekik, south of Gilimanuk, West Bali. These are the mortal remains of coastal people who swam the strait and walked across to Bali via land bridge from East Java to Bali in their migration east through the islands from Indochina. Bali was already well populated by the time of Bronze Age began around 300 B.C.

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Apart from its art and culture, the island of Bali is also rich with mystical remains and ancient temples. Many of these sites indicate early traces of civilization and have been preserved for research and as objects of tourism. One site that is worth seeing is Bali’s largest and perhaps oldest Hindu temple monument known as Gunung Kawi.

Gunung Kawi was built in the 11^th century and was only rediscovered during the 1920’s. Throughout the ensuing years the site has undergone several renovations to conserve the overall architectural elements that are a tribute to the island’s artistic heritage. Gunung Kawi consists of two groupings of temples with the first made up of five shrines located close to the river. Here visitors can see an ancient inscription that dates back to when the monument was initially erected.

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The historical period of Bali is divided into three sub-periods which includes :

a. The Ancient Period ( 800 - 1343 AD)

The collections from this period that are displayed: stupika, the miniature of a stupa (Buddhist temple) made of clay and there is a stamp or tablet inside. The tablet is written with Pranegari script in Sanskrit language containing Buddhist mantras. A great number of stupikas were found in Pejeng village and Tatiapi, Blahbatuh village (Gianyar) which can be traced back to 800 AD, and it was the first writing ever found indicating the beginning of Bali history. Also displayed findings of this age of stone and bronze statues (arca) such as : Arca Dewi Tara, Arca Manjucri and others as the media for worshipping the divined king’s spirit. Trading system had also been going on in that period, proved by the remains found such as : gold and silver currencies and perforated Chinese coins. Photographs of architectural remains from the period are also displayed such as : Gunung Kawi temple, Gua Gajah/Elephant cave and Yeh Pulu temple.

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