RADIOCARBON DATING OF A MAMASA TORAJA TRADITIONAL HOUSE IN OROBUA SETTLEMENT AND HYPOTHESIS BASED ON THE DATING

In this study, samples taken from a traditional house in the Orobua settlement were analyzed through radiocarbon dating to determine its construction date. The results show that two samples were dated at 300 years, six at 200 years, 11 at 100 years, and six at less than 100 years. These components of various ages are distributed throughout the house, indicating that the house has been continuously occupied as damaged components were being replaced. These dates are consistent with the interview of Ir. Timotius, the village chief, that the banua sura’ layuk in the Orobua settlement was built 250 years ago.