This is mainly because, Muaro Jambi has far richer temple concentration—in contrast to the scarcity of archaeological sites in South Sumatra.

During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries it seems that from its river estuarine basis along the Batang Hari, Melayu became the dominant economic power in Sumatra.

Muaro Jambi is estimated to have been built somewhere around 7th to 12th century CE,[5] and the substantial archaeological remains suggest that this temple compound may have been the site of the Melayu capital.

[5] The temple complex of Candi Muaro Jambi is spread out over a large area along the banks of the Batang Hari River.

Eight temple complexes have been excavated but many more mounds and sites remain to be explored within the conservation area, much of which is still covered by thick jungle.