In a project aimed at stabilizing the Candi Plaosan periphery in Central Java, conservators have discovered a unique preservation technique used by 10th-century Mataram Dynasty builders. Excavations beneath the primary shrine revealed that the cornerstone layers were intentionally treated with a sandalwood-infused resin. This organic coating appears to have acted as a long-term repellent against tropical termites and fungal decay, a testament to the sophisticated material science of the era.
The discovery was made during the installation of modern seismic sensors. Along with the treated stones, the team found a cache of bronze offering plates inscribed with Old Javanese scripts that detail the specific ritual consecration of the temple's foundations. Experts believe this find proves that the spiritual and physical longevity of Hindu-Buddhist temples in Indonesia were inextricably linked through both religious ritual and advanced bio-chemical engineering.