Fine Arts Dept. finds 2,000-yr-old gold rings with Brahmi script in Phetchaburi

MGR Online•Society•3d ago

Reader Briefing

Archaeologists in Phetchaburi have unearthed two gold rings, one inscribed with the ancient Indian Brahmi script dating back 1,900-2,100 years, providing crucial evidence of trade and cultural links between the Suvarnabhumi region and India.

•The Fine Arts Department archaeologists discovered two gold rings at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site in Phetchaburi.
•One ring features Brahmi script, estimated to be 1,900 to 2,100 years old, suggesting ancient trade and cultural connections with India.
•The discovery aids in confirming historical trade, seafaring, and cultural exchange between the Suvarnabhumi region and India.
•Archaeologists are also expediting the retrieval of ancient skeletons and artifacts to protect them from the rainy season.

Overview

•On July 2, an archaeological team discovered two gold rings among ancient burials at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site in Phetchaburi.
•One gold ring is estimated to be 1,900-2,100 years old, dating to the 5th-7th Buddhist centuries, reflecting ancient trade and cultural ties between Suvarnabhumi and India.
•Director-General of the Fine Arts Department stated that the discovery is significant evidence confirming trade, seafaring, and cultural exchange between Suvarnabhumi and India approximately 2,000 years ago.
•Archaeologists are urgently salvaging skeletons and artifacts to prevent damage from the upcoming rainy season.
•The Brahmi script found on the ring reads 'Pusarjit's', meaning 'belonging to Pusarjita' or 'one protected by the Pushya nakshatra'.
•Scholars hypothesize the ring's owner may have belonged to the Vaishya caste or merchant class, indicating Indian influence and beliefs in ancient Suvarnabhumi.
•Efforts are underway to carefully excavate delicate human skeletons, including those of children found with large bronze vessels, by lifting them with their surrounding earth for preservation and study.
•Similar Brahmi script findings have previously occurred at the Khlong Thom archaeological site in Krabi and Khao Sam Kaeo archaeological site in Chumphon.

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Key Entities

Organization

Fine Arts Department(กรมศิลปากร)ℹ️

The Thai government organization responsible for archaeological discoveries and artifact preservation.

Silpakorn University(มหาวิทยาลัยศิลปากร)ℹ️

The university where Dr. Uthen Wongsatit, an expert on ancient script, is affiliated.

Place

Don Yai Thong archaeological site(แหล่งโบราณคดีดอนยายทอง)

The archaeological site in Phetchaburi, Thailand, where gold rings and ancient burials were discovered.

Phetchaburi(เพชรบุรี)ℹ️

The province in Thailand where the Don Yai Thong archaeological site is located.

Suvarnabhumi region(ดินแดนสุวรรณภูมิ)ℹ️

The ancient concept of a land of gold, referring to a geographical region in Southeast Asia which encompassed parts of what is now Thailand.

India(อินเดีย)ℹ️

The country whose ancient script and cultural influence were evidenced by the discovery of the inscribed gold ring.

Khlong Thom archaeological site(แหล่งโบราณคดีคลองท่อม)

A previous archaeological site in Krabi where Brahmi script was found on jewelry and seals.

Krabi Province(จังหวัดกระบี่)ℹ️

The province in Thailand where the Khlong Thom archaeological site is located.

Khao Sam Kaeo archaeological site(แหล่งโบราณคดีเขาสามแก้ว)

A previous archaeological site in Chumphon where Brahmi script was found on jewelry and seals.

Chumphon Province(จังหวัดชุมพร)ℹ️

The province in Thailand where the Khao Sam Kaeo archaeological site is located.

Person

Phanombut Chan-chod(นายพนมบุตร จันทรโชติ)

The Director-General of the Fine Arts Department, who reported on the discovery.

Dr. Uthen Wongsatit(ดร.อุเทน วงศ์สถิต)

An expert from the Faculty of Archaeology, Silpakorn University, involved in the initial inspection of the ancient script.