A trove of ancient Buddhist relics have been found beneath a historic temple in northeastern Thailand.
Conservation efforts at Wat Dhammachak Semaram in Nakhon Ratchasima initially aimed at reducing subterranean moisture near the base of a massive reclining Buddha statue lead to the discovery of the rare artifacts in April.
“At a depth of just over a meter, our team uncovered an earthenware container holding 33 bronze, silver, and gold items. These finds are extraordinary. They offer significant insights into the craftsmanship and religious devotion of the period,” Phnombootra Chadrajoti, Director-General of the Fine Arts Department, told the Thaiger.
Among the early findings were gold rings, silver earrings, and bronze ornaments; one of the latter contained a spiral-shaped earring similar to those found at early Buddhist sites in southern Thailand.
A second excavation on April 30 revealed more artifacts, including a gold repoussé plaque of a seated Buddha in vitarka mudra (a teaching gesture), with halo, curly hair, and a lotus pedestal; a second lead-tin repoussé showing a standing Buddha in an arched frame flanked by attendants, one of who is thought to be Brahma; and a clump of soil embedded with three metal ceremonial sheets found behind the reclining Buddha statue’s head that may have been used for sacred offerings or ritual deposits.
The gold plaque is similar to one found at Wat Phra Prathon Chedi in Nakhon Pathom, currently at the Bangkok National Museum.
These finds, which date back more than 1,300 years ago, indicate that the area may have once been a thriving religious center during the Dvaravati era between the 6th through 11th centuries.
The artifacts have been sent to the Phimai National Museum for conservation and further study.
