runtuhan

Runtuhan is a noun in Indonesian and Malay referring to the remains of something that has collapsed or fallen into ruin. It can denote physical ruins—such as the spent remains of a building, bridge, city, or temple—or a broader state of decay in a landscape or community. The term derives from runtuh, meaning to collapse, with the noun-forming suffix -an.

In architectural history and archaeology, runtuhan emphasizes tangible remains that can be studied, documented, excavated, or preserved. Runtuhan sites may include standing but eroded walls, scattered masonry, foundations, and overgrown structures. In historical writing, runtuhan can describe the decline of a polity, economy, or culture, used figuratively.

Conditions affecting runtuhan include natural processes (weathering, vegetation growth), natural hazards (earthquakes, floods), and human factors (urban development, looting, neglect). Preservation typically involves documentation, stabilization, controlled access, and, where feasible, restoration that respects authenticity and reversibility.

In heritage and tourism discourse, runtuhan often attract interest for archaeologists, historians, and visitors seeking cultural and historical narratives found in ruins. The concept also features in fiction and journalism as a symbol of ruin or collapse.