Nong Hua Thong
| Native Name | ໜອງຫົວທອງ, នងហួថង |
|---|---|
| Alternative name | Ban Mak Nao Tai |
| BA# | L13018 |
| K Inscription | K.1262, K.1263, K,1264 |
| Inscr. Location | Vault in Savannakhet |
| Size | Medium |
| Condition | Tuol |
| Type | Ancient City |
| Location | |
| District | Sayboury |
| Province | Savannakhet |
| Country | Laos |
| Coordinates | 16.93487, 104.85461 |
| History | |
| Founded | (?) |
| Builder | (?) |
| Material | Earth, Brick, Laterite, Sandstone, Gold, Silver, Bronze |
Nong Hua Thong (ໜອງຫົວທອງ - Pronounced: Nawng! Hoo-a Tong)
This extensive site, situated on the bank of the Bangfai River which marks the boundary of Savannakhet and Khammouane Provinces, appears to represent an important early settlement site. The area forms an irregular, vaguely semi-circular shape with the river forming the northern boundary and earth embankments (2.3kms in total length) enclosing the other sides. (There is some evidence the settlement may also have extended onto the north bank of the river. (1))
While the irregular layout is possibly more typical of early Mon rather than Khmer sites, the northern section does clearly show 2 parallel straight embankments (some 700m in length) and a series of small reservoirs - all precisely aligned southwest-northeast. A spectacular find was made on one of the embankments in 2008 when a large earthenware jar was unearthed during construction work containing some 116 precious objects including gold, silver and bronze items as well as precious stones. (Some photos and detailed descriptions can be found in the link below.) While there was some variation in styles, archaeologists have identified the majority of objects as being of Khmer design. (3 objects even featured inscriptions - 1 in Sanskrit and 2 in Khmer - including a mention of Shiva worship.)
Interestingly the EFEO archaeologists also noted that this deeply buried cache appeared to indicate a hasty attempt to hide the 'treasure' although clearly, it was never recovered! Mon-style sema stones have also been unearthed on-site and it appears probable that Mon and Khmer coexisted at the site for some time, or that what was originally a Mon settlement was later controlled and governed by the Khmer. The site's northern location could suggest the valuables were possibly being hidden from Cham or Dai Viet invaders or, during a slightly later period, from Siamese or Lao forces.
The site was visited as early as 1911 by Henri Parmentier and has since been described by archaeologists as the most promising Angkor or pre-Angkor site in Laos after Wat Phu so we look forward to further discoveries.
The treasures discovered, are inaccessible and the Lao Government has them stored under lock and key in a secure guarded vault in Savannakhet province.
(1) Unusually, post holes have been found in the rocky riverbank close to the double embankment, hinting that a possible wooden bridge structure was in place.
Map Location
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DESCRIPTION
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Nearby Sites
External Links
Links to additional resources such as articles, websites, videos etc. Par-delà Vat Phu. Données nouvelles sur l'expansion des espaces khmer et môn anciens au Laos. EFEO 2010
References