Fine Arts Dept. Finds 2,500-Year-Old Phimai Black Ware, Skeletons

Thairath•Society•17d ago

Reader Briefing

Archaeological discovery at the Moon Bon Dam in Nakhon Ratchasima yields a well-preserved 2,500-year-old Phimai black ware vessel, skeletons, and ancient artifacts.

•A complete Phimai black ware pot, estimated to be 1,500-2,500 years old, was found at the Moon Bon Dam.
•The discovery includes numerous human skeletons and various ancient artifacts such as glass beads, iron tools, and stone axes.
•The site, named Moon Bon Dam Archaeological Site 1, is believed to be a prehistoric burial ground from the late prehistoric period.

Overview

•On July 9, 2026, at 10:30 AM, officials from the Fine Arts Department 10 Nakhon Ratchasima surveyed the Moon Bon Dam.
•Officials discovered a complete Phimai black ware pot, resembling a alms bowl or bowl, with an estimated age of 1,500-2,500 years.
•Numerous human bone fragments were also found alongside the pottery.
•Other ancient artifacts including orange glass beads, iron tools, pottery loom weights, and polished stone axes were recovered.
•The discovery was made after the water level at the Moon Bon Dam significantly decreased.
•Officials tentatively identified the site as a prehistoric burial mound from the late prehistoric era.
•Archaeologist Wanapong Palakawong Na Ayutthaya stated the artifact's discovery is unusual, as only fragments are typically found.
•The remains are believed to be from the late prehistoric period, specifically the Iron Age, due to the nature of the artifacts and burial practices.

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Key Quotes

Wanapong Palakawong Na Ayutthaya

"It is quite certain that it is from the late prehistoric period, the Iron Age, dating between 2,500 and 1,500 years ago."

ค่อนข้างที่จะแน่ชัด ว่าอยู่ในยุคก่อนประวัติศาสตร์ตอนปลายสมัยเหล็ก มีอายุอยู่ในช่วง 2,500 ถึง 1,500 ปีมาแล้ว

Wanapong Palakawong Na Ayutthaya

"But I didn't expect it to be this high, as it's near the river source. It's a large mound with signs of burials."

แต่ไม่คิดว่าจะบนขนาดนี้ เพราะว่าถัดไปก็คือต้นแม่น้ำแล้ว ถือว่าเป็นเนินดินใหญ่ แล้วก็มีร่องรอยของการฝังศพ

Key Entities

Organization

Fine Arts Department(กรมศิลปากร)ℹ️

The organization responsible for the archaeological discovery made at the Moon Bon Dam.

Fine Arts Office 10 Nakhon Ratchasima(สำนักศิลปากรที่ 10 นครราชสีมา)

The regional office of the Fine Arts Department that conducted the excavation at Moon Bon Dam.

Mahaviravong National Museum(พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ มหาวีรวงศ์)

The museum where Ms. Pattra Chaopraratchakul serves as head, part of the Fine Arts Department team.

Place

Moon Bon Dam(เขื่อนมูลบน)

The location in Nakhon Ratchasima Province where the archaeological discovery of Phimai Black Ware and human remains occurred.

Nakhon Ratchasima Province(จ.นครราชสีมา)ℹ️

The province in Thailand where the Moon Bon Dam and the archaeological discoveries are located.

Moon Bon Dam Archaeological Site 1(แหล่งโบราณคดีเขื่อนมูลบน 1)

The designated name for the archaeological discovery area at the Moon Bon Dam.

Jorakhe Hin Sub-district(ตำบลจระเข้หิน)

The sub-district within Amphoe Khun Han, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, where the Moon Bon Dam and archaeological site are located.

Khun Han District(อำเภอครบุรี)

The district in Nakhon Ratchasima Province where the Moon Bon Dam and archaeological discoveries are situated.

Person

Ms. Pattra Chaopraratchakul(นางสาวภัทรา เชาว์ปรัชญากุล)

Head of the Mahaviravong National Museum, part of the team from Fine Arts Office 10 Nakhon Ratchasima who investigated the Moon Bon Dam site.

Mr. Wanapong Palakawong Na Ayutthaya(นายวรรณพงษ์ ปาละกะวงษ์ ณ อยุธยา)

An archaeologist specialist from Fine Arts Office 10 Nakhon Ratchasima who provided insights into the Moon Bon Dam archaeological site.