Further Excavations Among the Megaliths: Research at Plain of Jars Site 2 in Laos

Plain of Jars Site 2

Authors

  • Dougald O'Reilly Australian National University http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9830-6945 http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9830-6945
  • Louise Shewan School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Australia
  • Thonglith Luangkoth The Department of Heritage, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lao PDR
  • Amphai Butphachit The Department of Heritage, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lao PDR
  • Mailo Khamphouvong The Department of Heritage, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lao PDR

Abstract

The Plain of Jars Archaeological Research Project (PJARP) team has been investigating the megalithic jars of North central Laos since 2016 with excavations conducted at three jar sites (Sites 1, 2 and 52) in Xieng Khouang Province. This paper presents the methodology and results of the excavation of Site 2 (Ban Nakho) undertaken in 2019. While similarities are apparent in the archaeological evidence uncovered between Site 2 and the other sites excavated by the team, important differences can be discerned between these sites. Features common at all sites include sandstone chips, limestone blocks and artefact assemblages. The finds and dating for Site 2 are presented here to place the site in a regional context, contributing to the understanding of this enigmatic megalithic culture and the expanding corpus of known sites. 

Author Biographies

Dougald O'Reilly, Australian National University http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9830-6945

Associate Professor, School of Archaeology and Anthropology

Thonglith Luangkoth, The Department of Heritage, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lao PDR

Director
Decorated disc (D005) located in Unit 2 at Site 2, Plain of Jars (Photo courtesy Andrew Ball)

Published

2022-12-20

Issue

Vol. 46 No. 1 (2022): Journal of Indo-Pacific Archaeology

Section

Articles

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