Ancient jars found at Ayutthaya's Wat Daeng

Some of the 32 ancient jars are found buried underneath the main Buddha image in the chapel of Wat Daeng temple in Tha Rua district, Ayutthaya province, during an excavation by archaeologists for the renovation of the temple on Sunday. (Photo by Sunthorn Pongpao)

AYUTTHAYA - Thirty-two ancient jars have been found underneath the main Buddha image in the chapel of Wat Daeng temple in Tha Rua district during an excavation by archaeologists for the renovation of the temple.

Chaiyos Charoensantipong, an archaeologist from the 3rd Fine Arts Office supervising the excavation, said that workers on Saturday removed a brick from a 10-centimetre-thick wall on the base of the main Buddha image and found the jars.

The 32 containers were placed top down in order underneath the base of the main Buddha image, he said.

The jars did not contain amulets or any other objects. They were simply used to help support the base of the main Buddha image.

The jars are regarded as valuable nonetheless as they help people understand the ancient construction technique, Mr Chaiyos said.

Phra Samuh Somyos, the abbot of Wat Daeng, said he had explained this to villagers, who flocked to the temple on Saturday expecting to see amulets inside the jars.

Wat Daeng temple made a news headline in 2009 when the heads of four Buddha images in the chapel were cut by thieves.

The main Buddha image (centre) is seen in the chapel of Wat Daeng temple in Tha Rua district, Ayutthaya province. Thirty-two ancient jars were found underneath it on Sunday. (Photo by Sunthorn Pongpao)



