archaeology

Sibuhuan southwards

    At least two routes allowed access to the Padang Lawas from the south. The first, and probably major, route passed through what is now Padang Sidempuan and from there southwards through the valley of the Batang Angkola. A second route appears to have run from near Sibuhuan in the Padang Lawas across the mountains into the Angkola valley near Si Abu. From Si Abu, the route then ran southward through Bonan Dolok to Penyabungan and Kotanopan in the valley of the Batang Gadis where it cross the mountains by Muarasipongi to Rao. The modern road follows essentially the same route.

    There may have been yet another route leading northeast from Rao into the Padang Lawas. To the south, an alternative route appears to have linked Rao with Muara Takus in the valley of the Batang Mahat, a tributary of the Kampar kan. At Rao, the main route enters the valley of the Batang Sumpur, a tributary of the Sungei Rokan Kiri. It then passes through Tanjung Medan and Lubuk Sikaping via Bonjol into Minangkabau territory. From Bonjol, it seems that there were two alternative routes southwards. One followed approximately the route of the modern road whilst the second ran via Kota Tinggi and Paya Kumbuh to Bua. From Bua it was possible to gain access to the headwaters of the Batang Hari and proceed downstream to Muara Tebo and Muara Jambi.
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