KHON KAEN, Jan 9 (TNA) – The skeletal remains of an ancient human, believed to be between 2,500 and 1,500 years old, have been discovered in a cassava field in Khon Kaen province, northeastern Thailand, archaeologists said.
The discovery was made in Ban Nong Du village, Wiang Kao district, approximately 200 meters from the Dinosaur Research and Education Center and Museum.
Local villagers ploughing the field on January 4 uncovered a skull exposed by water erosion, about one meter below the surface. The site is believed to have been an ancient community burial ground near a stream.
Archaeologists from the Fine Arts Office 8 in Khon Kaen examined the site and found a relatively complete skeleton lying on its side with its arm bent. They excavated the remains for preservation to prevent further deterioration and potential damage from water erosion. Fragments of ancient pottery were also found scattered around the skeleton.
“Previously, villagers found iron tools resembling small blades, along with red earthenware pottery decorated with cord-marked patterns, typical artifacts from the Iron Age, dating back 2,500-1,500 years,” said Thippawan Wongassapaiboon, a senior archaeologist from the Fine Arts Office 8.
This indicates that the burial site belonged to prehistoric humans who typically wrapped bodies in reed mats, bamboo mats, or cloth and offered belongings to the deceased.
The skeleton is believed to be that of a woman who died at around 30-35 years old. This estimation is based on the full eruption of her third molars and the degree of tooth wear. -819 (TNA)
