Ancient Korat City Wall and Bodhi Tree Found

MGR Online•Society•8d ago

Reader Briefing

Archaeologists discovered an ancient city wall in Nakhon Ratchasima embraced by a large Bodhi tree, signaling plans to develop the site into a historical landmark.

•Ancient city wall remnants were discovered at the eastern side of Nakhon Ratchasima city.
•Evidence of human settlement dating back 1,500 to 2,500 years was found, including prehistoric pottery and gold jewelry.
•The Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality plans to collaborate with experts from Chulalongkorn University to develop the site into a new historical landmark.

Overview

•Archaeological excavations at the eastern city wall of Nakhon Ratchasima, specifically the Phon Lan Tan Panja area, revealed a wall embraced by a large Bodhi tree.
•Previous surveys in 2024 found prehistoric skeletons and gold jewelry dated 1,500 to 2,500 years ago, but did not find the wall foundations.
•New excavations took place from July 20, 2026, to August 8, 2026, using a pit approximately 2 x 10 meters.
•Brick samples were sent to the United States and Kasetsart University for age verification.
•Wannaphong Palakawong Na Ayudhya stated the project is a collaboration between the 10th Fine Arts Office Nakhon Ratchasima and Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality.
•Archaeologists are currently analyzing organic materials and rice husks found in bricks to determine the construction period of the wall, city gates, and forts.
•Dr. Wannarat Channukul announced that experts from Chulalongkorn University will design the landscape to transform the site into a historical landmark.
•The area is Treasury Department land under the supervision of the Treasury Department.

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Key Entities

Organization

Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality(เทศบาลนครนครราชสีมา)

The local government body collaborating on the archaeological excavation and planning the development of the historical landmark.

10th Fine Arts Office Nakhon Ratchasima(สำนักศิลปากรที่ 10 นครราชสีมา)

The government office responsible for the archaeological excavation and study of the Nakhon Ratchasima city walls.

Kasetsart University(มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์)ℹ️

An institution where brick samples from the ancient wall were sent for age testing.

Silpakorn University(มหาวิทยาลัยศิลปากร)ℹ️

The institution whose researchers aim to connect archaeological history with construction materials to create a timeline for Nakhon Ratchasima.

Chulalongkorn University(จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย)ℹ️

The university whose experts will handle the restoration and landscape design of the Bodhi tree and ancient wall area.

Treasury Department(กรมธนารักษ์)

The government department that oversees the Treasury land where the city walls are located.

Person

Wannaphong Palakawong Na Ayudhya(วรรณพงษ์ ปาละกะวงษ์ ณ อยุธยา)

A professional archaeologist from the 10th Fine Arts Office Nakhon Ratchasima.

Wannarat Channukul(วรรณรัตน์ ชาญนุกูล)ℹ️

The Mayor of Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality.

Place

Nakhon Ratchasima(นครราชสีมา)ℹ️

The province and city where the ancient walls and prehistoric settlements were discovered.

Phon Lan Tan Panja(พลล้านต้านปัญจา)

The specific area along Phon Lan Road where the eastern city wall excavation took place.