The RISPRO Universitas Tadulako team completed four field survey phases across Central Sulawesi—Napu Valley, Bada Valley, Poso, and Behoa. Each expedition began on entrance roads with vastly different conditions, as illustrated in the following three images.
The field vehicle inches through a deep puddle on the dirt access road. Drivers had to visually gauge water depth to avoid becoming stuck. Pre-ride logistics checks, including engine inspection and equipment safeguards, were essential before fording these muddy patches.
The team’s adaptation to rugged terrain. Where the dirt track narrowed and was overgrown with tall grass, trail motorcycles carried cameras and equipment. Team members on foot followed, guiding the bikes through particularly deep mud.
On paved sections between Poso and Behoa, severe erosion created large cracks and potholes along the roadside. The third photo captures the collapsed edge, forcing vehicles onto emergency side tracks. Local residents assisted with makeshift wooden supports, slowing but ultimately enabling safe passage.
Despite these challenges, the team successfully performed smartphone photogrammetry on each statue and recorded GPS coordinates to map 15 megalithic sites. All photographic and spatial data have been uploaded to the Negeri1000Megalit portal to inform access-improvement recommendations and long-term conservation strategies.
