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Post by UKarchaeology on Apr 2, 2016 21:49:07 GMT
 A new group of human remains has been uncovered on the Plain of Jars in Laos. They are believed to date back to the Iron Age, some 2,500 years ago.The Plain of Jars is in the central Lao province of Xieng Khouang. The area covers hundreds of kilometers in which can be found thousands of ancient stone jars. They are grouped together at about 100 sites. The Plain of Jars has been a puzzle to archaeologists—scientists who study prehistoric people and their culture. A joint research team from Australia and Laos found the remains. Dougald O’Reilly teaches archaeology at Australian National University. He led the field work in Laos. “This is one of the great enigmas of the Jars’ sites,” he said. “These massive stone jars – some of them weighing up to 10 metric tons, that have been dragged eight to 10 kilometers from a quarry site and set up in groups.” Little is known about the people who made the jars. What did the jars hold? How and why did people place them where they did? Full story: learningenglish.voanews.com/content/will-the-plain-of-jars-mystery-be-solved/3250131.html |
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Post by UKarchaeology on Apr 4, 2016 18:31:46 GMT
Another article on the matter; Ancient burials revealed at mysterious Plain of Jars in Laos Human remains found at an ancient burial ground at the Plain of Jars in Laos are shown in an Australian National University photo released on Monday.PHOTO: AFPSYDNEY (AFP) - Archaeologists have uncovered ancient human remains and various burial practices at the mysterious Plain of Jars in Laos, Australian researchers said Monday, as scientists attempt to unravel the puzzle of the stone vessels.The Plain of Jars in Laos' central Xieng Khouang province is scattered with thousands of stone jars and scientists have long been perplexed by their original use. "This will be the first major effort since the 1930s to attempt to understand the purpose of the jars and who created them," Dougald O'Reilly from the Australian National University's school of archaeology said in a statement. Full story: www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/ancient-burials-revealed-at-mysterious-plain-of-jars-in-laos |
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Post by UKarchaeology on Apr 4, 2016 18:59:48 GMT
 The Plain of Jars is one of Asia's most mysterious sitesLaos: Discovery of human remains at ancient site deepens Plain of Jars mysteryScientists have uncovered an ancient burial ground, located in one of Asia's most mysterious archaeological sites - the Plain of Jars. For decades, historians and archaeologists have tried to unravel the secrets behind the site, where thousands of stone jars lay scattered across Laos' Xieng Khouang plateau.The latest discovery, by scientists from the Australian National University (ANU), comes in the context of the first comprehensive excavation project on the site since the 1930's. The team, led by Dr Dougald O'Reilley, have unearthed 2500-year-old human remains, in one of the 90 sites that make up the Plain of Jars. They hope it will shed a light on the purpose of the jars next to which they were buried. "This will be the first major effort since the 1930s to attempt to understand the purpose of the jars and who created them," O'Reilly said. Three different types of burialIn the 1930s, French archaeologist Madeleine Colani, the first scholar who explored the Plain of Jars, argued that the site, dating back to the Iron age, was associated with pre-historical burial practices. The jars, which number between one to 400 at each site and range from one to three metres tall, were probably intended to hold cremated remains. This latest discovery buttresses her hypothesis and archaeologists hope it will further their knowledge of ancient funeral rites practised at the site. Full story (and more pictures): www.ibtimes.co.uk/laos-discovery-human-remains-ancient-site-deepens-plain-jars-mystery-1553002 |
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Post by UKarchaeology on Apr 4, 2016 19:05:44 GMT
Another article on the matter; What is the secret of the Plain of Jars? Excavations suggest mysterious stone vessels buried in the ground were used to DISTILL dead bodies 2,500 years ago* Archaeologists have uncovered 2,500-year-old bones in a covered pit
* They also found bones buried in ceramic jars at the site in central Laos
* Researchers say bodies may have been placed in the jars to decompose
* The bones were later removed and buried in the area around the jars The Plain of Jars is scattered with thousands of ancient stone jars (pictured) which were first examined by French archaeologist in the 1930s, but were later rendered almost inaccessible due to the risk of unexploded bombs left across the region following the Vietnam WarScattered across the foothills of central Laos, thousands of large stone jars hewn from bare rock have perplexed archaeologists for decades.Now excavations on the mysterious Plain of Jars may finally have provided an answer to what these strange vessels, which measure between three and ten feet tall, were used for. Archaeologists have discovered 2,500-year-old human remains buried at sites close to the clusters of stone jars. The pits filled with bones that had been covered with a large limestone block and in other cases bones had been placed in ceramic vessels before being buried. Dr Dougald O'Reilly, an archaeologist at the Australian National University who led the work, said it suggests the jars were used to decompose the bodies before the bones were removed and buried. He said: 'What is now clear is that these are mortuary and were used for the disposal of the dead. Full story (and more pictures): www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3522526/Ancient-burials-revealed-mysterious-Plain-Jars-Laos.html |
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