Pejeng is the ancient capital of an important Hindu-Buddhist Balinese kingdom. Archaeological research shows that the earliest Balinese inscriptions and temples were created in Pejeng, implying that Pejeng is the oldest inhabited area of the island. This is corroborated by the unearthing of artifacts from Pejeng that date as far back as the Paleolithic era and Bronze Age.
The ancient Pejeng kingdom is thought to have been the seat of King Udayana (for whom Udayana University in Denpasar is named after), whose son is famous for uniting Java and Bali. It was also the last kingdom in Bali to fall to invaders from the Javanese Majapahit empire, led by Prime Minister Gajah Mada, which took over the island after being defeated themselves by rulers who brought Islam to Java.
Rice is thought to have been first cultivated in the Pejeng area with the creation of the famous Subak irrigation system, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Subak system, in turn, created the organization of Balinese village life which was originally based on sharing water and praying to the gods for rain and strong harvests. All Balinese culture that is practiced today derives from these original agricultural purposes.
As a result of this history, Pejeng is home to some of the most sacred temples and relics in all of Bali, including one of the six holiest temples in Bali that are believed to bring balance to the island, Pura Pusering Jagat and the largest Bronze age relic in all of Asia, the Moon of Pejeng. Pejeng is also the largest archaeological site in Bali and new artifacts continue to be discovered in rice fields, school yards and homes.
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