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Ref ID: 37636
Ref Type: Document
Authors: Skopal, Nicholas
Bounxaythip, Souliya
O'Reilly, Dougald
Shewan, Louise
Luangkhoth, Thonglith
Van Den Bergh, Julie
Title: Megaliths in the mountains
Date: 2023
Source: Author Open Access
Abstract: Xieng Khouang and neighboring provinces in Central Laos are home to a vast megalithic landscape featuring large stone jars, discs, and imported boulders located in elevated positions. Sites were first noted in the late nineteenth century, with systematic recording commencing in the 1930s. Continuing on from the 2019 field survey by the Plain of Jars Archaeological Research Project, this paper presents the results of a 2020 survey across Xieng Khouang Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) which led to the documentation of 27 previously unreported megalithic sites, growing the Lao PDR Government database from 102 to 129 known jar sites, with 124 geo-located. In addition, a preliminary analysis of the known jar sites to date is conducted regarding distribution and jar characteristics providing a basis for further investigation.