Geospatial analysis of the distribution of the Megalithic to colonial cultural features at the Karangsambung-Karangbolong National Geopark, Kebumen, Indonesia and its surrounding area

Abstract

The Karangsambung-Karangbolong National Geopark, Kebumen, Indonesia, and its surrounding area contain numerous cultural sites. Such cultural sites are generally located not only for cultural reasons but also for geological conditions and geodiversity. We examine the relationships in space between these sites and the geology and geomorphology. There are 11 Megalithic era cultural sites, 12 Hindi - Buddist sites, 31 Islamic sites, and 83 colonial sites in the research area. We look at the geospatial distribution of the sites concerning seven geological criteria: lithology, elevation, slope, landscape, mining materials, distance from rivers and groundwater using an overlay process using Geographical Information System applications. The geospatial analysis of site distribution allowed us to find that the leading choice for site location was on alluvial deposits. Mining potential was not a significant correlation to site placement. Elevation (<50 m) and slope (<7%) were the primary choices in all areas. Fluvial landscapes were the top landscape type, followed by denudational landscapes. Most sites are located less than 750 m from a river and underlain with large productive aquifers. Combined geological and cultural research can strengthen a site's meaning and significance if carried out spatially so that the main geological parameters that influence the formation of the culture of an area can be identified. The main benefit is knowing the relationship between geological and cultural diversity so that it can be used in geotourism development, site assessment, and geopark management. Locations that need to be followed up for management and local government include a group of sites in the Gombong sub-district (mainly K-58, along with others such as K-59, K-60, K-61, K-52, K-64, K-65, K-67, K-68, K-69, K- 70, K-71, K-72), Rowokele sub-district (especially M-1, M-2, K-81, others K-79, and K-80), Ayah sub-district (HB-2), Buayan sub-district (M-9, HB-9), Karanganyar sub-district (especially K-48, and others such as K-49, K-52, K-54, K-55), Pejagoan sub-district (K-39, K44), Klirong sub-district (especially in the Gebangsari Pottery Tourism Village: M-8, HB-6, I-9), Petanahan sub-district (I-13, I-15, I-16), Buluspesantren sub-disistrict (M-4, I-27), Ambal sub-district (especially K-11, and others such as K-12, K-13, and K-14), Kebumen sub-district (especially HB-5, I-1, K-16, K-17, and others such as I-2, I-4, I-6, I-16, K-18, K-19, K-20, K -21, K-22, K-23, K-24, K-26, K-27, K-37), Alian sub-district (especially K-33, and others such as K-32, K-31), Kutowinangun sub-district (especially K-8, and others such as K-9, K-10), Prembun sub-district (especially the K-1 site, and others such as K-2, K-3, K-5).

Keywords

• geopark
• culture diversity
• geodiversity
• geology and culture relation
• Kebumen