Latea Cave burial site, near Poso lake (Sulawesi, Indonesia)

I hiked to this remote site, where I encountered a couple of local students that were on a field trip.

The cave has been used for burial since the 19th century. You can see very old and deteriorating wooden coffins filled with human bones. Bones and skulls are scattered around the cave.

Latea Cave is more than 30 million years old. This natural cave is located in the limestone of Parere Hill. It is the place where the Pamona people, the indigenous residents of Poso, traditionally buried their ancestors. The Pamona people have lived in the hills of Central Sulawesi for generations; particularly in the Wawolembo area. Their practice of putting the dead in caves did not stop until the 19th century.

Latea Cave is comprised of two sections. The first section is located at the lower part of the cave. Here you can find four pairs of coffins and 36 skeletons. The second section is located at the upper part of the cave. Here one can find 17 pairs of coffins, 47 skeletons and five bracelets. Both caves were renovated in 1994.

Sone traditional practices of the Pamona and Toraja people are the same, including the practice of putting their dead in caves.

More photos of the Latea burial cave

More info about this place:

- indonesialogue.com/about-indonesia/burial-site-of-pamona-...

- id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gua_Latea