Laos Archaeologists Find Large Stone Jar With 37 Burials on Plain of Jars

Archaeologists have uncovered a large stone jar in Laos containing the remains of at least 37 individuals, a discovery that provides significant new evidence about the purpose of the region's mysterious "Plain of Jars." The find, reported in a recent study, strongly indicates the massive stone vessels were used in ancient burial rituals.

The jar, designated Jar 1 by researchers, was excavated at a site on the Xieng Khouang Plateau in northern Laos. It measures approximately 1.3 meters tall and 2 meters wide, making it among the largest known in Laos. Inside, archaeologists found a dense collection of human bones and teeth, representing individuals ranging from young children to adults. The remains were neatly arranged, with skulls placed along the edges and longer bones grouped together, suggesting a deliberate secondary burial practice.

Radiocarbon dating of samples indicates the remains were deposited in multiple phases over a period of up to 270 years, between approximately 890 and 1160 AD. This pattern suggests the jar served as a collective mortuary space used repeatedly over generations, potentially by extended family or community groups.