Skeletons, artefacts found at Wiang Lor prehistoric site

PHAYAO -- Archaeologists from the Nan-based 7th Fine Arts Office have unearthed the remains of two skeletons and some artefacts at the Wiang Lor prehistoric site in Chun district, giving evidence of habitation in this area in the Metal Age, said an official.

Artefacts are found at the Wiang Lor prehistoric site in Chun district, Phayao. (Photo by Tua Pinaduang)

Noppadol Phuchai, chief of the Chalerm Phra Kiat Archive in Phayao, said the skeletal remains and arefacts were found recently in the perimeter of Wiang Lor prehistoric site at Moo 1 village in tambon Lor of Chun district.

The site has been excavated under a project which started in 2005 by archaeologists from the 7th Fine Arts Office.

He said the remains of the first skeleton were found under the base of a wall near the Ing River. The head of the skeleton points to the East. Bronze ornaments, including blacelets and earings, metal tools and pottery were found near it.

The remains of the second skeleton were found nearby. The head of the skeleton points to the South. A number of bronze ornaments, metal tools and pottery were also found near it.

As the area is flooded every year and the soil's humidity is high, about 80% of the skeletons have been destroyed, leaving only big pieces of bones such as the skulls, femurs and tibias, making it difficult to determine the sexes, ages and heights of the skeletons, he said.

"However, the findings indicate the area was a settlement in the Metal Age, which later became a major town on the eastern side of the Lanna empire. They explain the prehistoric cultural development in the Nam Ing or the Chiang Rai-Phayao basin.

"The ages of the skeletons have yet to be determined through scientific methods by archaeologists," said Mr Noppadol.



