Archaeological digs uncover ancient city walls in northeast Thailand
Archaeologists launched fresh excavations as ancient city walls were uncovered in northeast Thailand.
Officials today broke ground at the Non Phon Lan dig site in Nakhon Ratchasima, formally beginning excavations.
The undertaking followed major discoveries at the site in 2008 and 2024, when archaeologists found prehistoric human skeletons and burial artefacts, including pottery and gold ornaments dating to around 1,500 to 2,500 years ago.
The new excavation pit is located about 656 feet (200 metres) from the original site and will measure approximately 6.6 by 32.8 feet (2 by 10 metres).
Excavation work is scheduled to take place from July 20 to August 8.
Wannapong Palakawong Na Ayutthaya, a senior archaeologist at the 10th Regional Office of Fine Arts, said the latest dig is intended to establish when Nakhon Ratchasima was founded.
He said: 'The 2024 excavation failed to uncover the wall's foundations, as they were likely destroyed when the area was developed for government offices.
‘This second excavation aims to locate traces of the original city wall to verify its true age.
‘We have received cooperation from the Synchrotron Light Research Institute to help determine the age of the original Nakhon Ratchasima city wall.'
Nakhon Ratchasima mayor Wannarat Chanukul said the project was a joint effort of multiple agencies to determine the origins of the province.
He added: ‘If the remains of the original city wall or additional human skeletons are uncovered, Nakhon Ratchasima City Municipality plans to develop the site into a city history museum.
‘This will allow the people of Nakhon Ratchasima to learn about the city's origins and history, including how it was founded and the period in which it first emerged.'
On July 9, archaeologists discovered an ancient grave containing human skeletons, pottery and relics at the Mun Bon Dam in Nakhon Ratchasima after receding water exposed the remains.
Experts said the grave site dates back 1,500 to 2,500 years and could be the closest prehistoric burial site ever found near the Mun River.
