Ancient drums and skeletons found at Phetchaburi site

- News

PHETCHABURI — 7 May 2026, Residents in Phetchaburi province gathered on Wednesday to make merit and honour prehistoric human remains discovered at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site after archaeologists unearthed eight ancient skeletons believed to be between 1,500 and 2,000 years old.

The ceremony was held at Don Yai Thong site in Ban Don Phlap village, Samo Phlue subdistrict, Ban Lat district, where local residents offered food to Buddhist monks and dedicated merit to the deceased whose remains were uncovered during excavations led by the Fine Arts Department.

Officials attending the event included Phetchaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation President Chaiya Angkinan, Ban Lat District Chief Preecha Ananworanat and Nipa Sangkhonakhin, director of Fine Arts Office 1 in Ratchaburi.

Archaeologists from Fine Arts Office 1, working with local authorities and residents, began excavations at the site after the discovery of two ancient bronze drums in February in the middle of a rice field.

The drums, known as “Mahorathuk” drums, are believed to originate from the Dong Son culture in northern Vietnam and later spread throughout the Suvarnabhumi region, including parts of present-day Thailand.

The nearest previous discovery of such drums was in Khu Bua in Ratchaburi province, while no similar drums had previously been found in Phetchaburi or Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces.

Excavations, led by archaeologist Kannika Premjai since 9 February 2026, have continued for nearly three months.

Initial excavations uncovered damaged fragments of bronze drums, pottery, bronze containers, human leg bones and gold jewellery, prompting archaeologists to expand the excavation area.

Between March and April, the team uncovered eight human skeletons laid flat on their backs in rows, with some overlapping each other.

Archaeologists found bronze head ornaments resembling helmets placed over the skulls of all eight skeletons, along with bronze artefacts, stone beads, glass beads and pottery.

The first skeleton discovered was accompanied by a large number of gold ornaments, including bracelets, rings, pendants, beads and earrings.

Four additional bronze drums were later uncovered, bringing the total number found at the site to six.

Archaeologists believe the discoveries represent prehistoric burial rituals dating back around 1,500 to 2,000 years, before cremation practices became common.

The presence of gold jewellery, bronze artefacts and bronze drums suggests the individuals buried at the site were members of a high-status social group rather than ordinary villagers.

Experts also noted that the intricate gold ornaments resembled Indian craftsmanship, indicating the community may have had trade connections with external civilisations.

Nipa thanked local residents, officials, educational institutions and the landowners for supporting the excavation work.

However, she warned that heavy moisture, underground water and the approaching rainy season were creating difficulties for archaeologists and threatening the preservation of the human remains, as water had begun seeping into the excavation pits from surrounding rice fields.