Sema City

Terrain

General Condition

Muang Sema is a large ancient city. It has an area of ​​approximately 2,475 rai, located on a mid-to-high lagoon area surrounded by rice fields. The appearance of the city of Sema has an oval-shaped city plan. surrounded by ditches and embankments It has a diameter along the north-south line 1,755.68 meters and along the east-west line 1,845.99 meters (Thanongsak Harnwong 1991:61). The ditch is about 10-20 meters wide. south of the city and Huai Phai flows through the west of the city.

Muang Sema has the characteristics of building a city overlapping 2 floors, called the city outside - the inner city. The foreign cities are larger than those in the north. There is a road that cuts through the center of the city in the east-west direction. Three ancient ruins were found in the south of the city. In the center of the city was a square ditch or pond with a circular mound within it. As for the inner city, there is an irregularly shaped ditch around the earth. In the center of the city found 6 ancient monuments and a small pond, known as the Crow Pond by the locals, where the Crow Pond inscription was found.

The conditions inside the ancient city were sparse forests. There is a patchy area. in the vicinity of the ancient site There are no people living in the city because the Fine Arts Department has announced the registration of ancient monuments. Near the ridge of the city wall on the west, it was found that people came to occupy living space and adjust the area to grow crops and farming.

The condition of the ditches and ditches of Sema City is quite noticeable. especially the ditches and ditches of the inner city The embankment and the ditch are covered with densely covered trees in some periods. The south and west moats were stagnant water. The northern moat of the inner city is partially shallow, and the western and eastern embankments are less noticeable due to the villagers' occupying residential areas. plow the soil for cultivation and the road was cut through.

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Lam Ta Khong, Mun River, tributaries such as Huai Phai

Geological conditions

Geological characteristics of Muang Sema are caused by the deposition of sedimentary soil. River pebbles, silts and quaternary clay. The soil characteristics of Muang Sema were formed from sediments that had been carried over by the water for a long time. Organized in the soil warin set (Wn)

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Archaeological age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

Muang Sema is a contemporary ancient city of Dvaravati and Khmer culture. surrounded by ditches The city plan is irregularly oval. The main river that flows through is Lam Ta Khong, which flows through the south of the city. and Huai Phai flows through the west of the city. The ancient city of Sema has the characteristics of building a city overlapping 2 floors, called the city outside - the city inside.

The city of Sema has a moat-kandin. one-story city wall It has a length from the north to the south about 1,700 meters and from the east side to the west about 1,500 meters. The average wall or embankment height is 3-4 meters. The ditch is about 10-20 meters wide.

The Fine Arts Department conducted a survey, excavation and excavation of Sema City in the years 1990 and 1999. Found 6 ancient monuments in the inner city (archaeological sites number 1, number 2, number 3, number 4, number 5 and No. 6) and in the outer city of 3 places (ancient sites number 7, number 8 and number 9), but only 8 places have been excavated and restored (Partnership Puranarak 1999 :9-15). Two other places outside the city are the Ban Kaen Thao Chedi and the Reclining Buddha Viharn. Wat Thammachak Semaram

Cultural development

A study of the archaeological evidence at Sema Ancient City concluded that this ancient community continued to inhabit from the earliest historical times and had cultural ties with other ancient communities in the region. The cultural development of the ancient city of Sema can be divided into 3 phases as follows (Khemika Wangsuk 2000:157-182; Mayuree Weeraprasert 2002 :109-110; Chalit Chaikanchit 2002 :140-147)

The term 1 Around the 10th-11th Buddhist century found evidence that the community first settled. It is a community whose cultural development was inherited from the community in the late prehistoric culture that lived in the Mun River basin. Important archaeological evidence showing the culture associated with contemporary ancient communities in the Mun River Basin and the ancient communities in the Chao Phraya River Basin and the Lop Buri-Pasak River Basin include polished black or black Phimai style pottery. This is a form of pottery found widely in the ancient communities in the upper Mun River basin and spread to the ancient communities in the Chao Phraya River Basin and the Lop Buri-Pa Sak River Basin. Roi Et style pottery, which is a dense pottery found in the middle of the Mun River.

The term 2 Around the 12th-15th Buddhist century, it was a period when the community was densely populated. There is evidence to show that the influence of Dvaravati culture from the central region is clearly respect for Buddhism. During this period, the community built religious sites and religious objects in both the inner and outer cities, such as pagodas, viharn, sandstone leaves, Buddha images, Dharma Chakrasila, which were artistic forms that were influenced by anal art. wadi mixed indigenous art Other important archeological evidence such as a cauldron with spouts, which is the same style found in ancient communities in the Dvaravati period in central Thailand. Monochromatic glass beads, earthenware, clay chips, ridged pots, etc.

The term 3 Around the 15th-18th Buddhist century, this ancient community was influenced by Khmer culture to blend with Dvaravati culture. Because evidence of architecture and sculpture in the Khmer co-culture was found. and there are traces of the conversion of the Buddhist place into a temple This is evidence that Brahmanism has begun to take the role of Buddhism. Consistent with the evidence of stone inscriptions found in the city of Sema In addition, it appears that Khmer-style pottery or Khmer-style porcelain replaces the pottery in Dvaravati culture, which is a form of pottery found prevalent in ancient communities that were influenced by Khmer culture in both the Northeast and Northeast. Central Thailand During this time a community was enlarged to the north of the inner city and a rectangular moat was excavated in the extended part of the city. Evidence of ties with ancient communities outside the region found during this period is the Song and Yuan dynasties Chinese wares. After the 18th Buddhist century onwards, the city of Sema was abandoned.

Lifestyles and beliefs

From archaeological evidence, it is found that this ancient community made a living through agriculture and various activities as follows:

Copperware production activities Evidence was found in the second phase of living. It was a fire clay courtyard, but not very dense, and large bricks were mixed with rice husks with beveled corners on both sides, which could be used as a fire protection due to burnt marks. In addition, a number of terracotta loaves were found with traces of bamboo slats attached to the soil. It is assumed that it may be a furnace roof structure. and also found evidence that it is a device for producing pottery, namely, du stone, but from the evidence found, it can be assumed that it was produced for use in the community (Khemika Wangsuk 2000:155-156)

Metallurgy activities The evidence was found to be iron slag which was scattered in every soil layer in the living layer 1-2, but not very dense, so it was assumed that it was produced for community use only. It is a weapon type device such as a small spear. Ax/shovel with bong, etc. (Khemika Wangsuk 2000:156)

The funeral tradition Two types of funeral traditions have been found. Consecrated items were made of glass beads and bone bead pendants on the right neck and wrist, bronze rings, iron utensils. and polished black earthenware or black Phimai-style pottery. Type 2 is a funeral burial in a pottery in the Dvaravati culture. It is the stuffing of the skeleton of a child in an earthenware pot with ridges. Found a dedication to the corpse, namely black rice grains and fish bones (Khemika Wangsuk 2000 :150)

Religion and beliefs From traces of ancient sites and evidence of antiquities found in Sema City, it shows the belief of Buddhism. (Theravada and Mahayana) and Brahmanism (Shaiwikaya) influenced by Dvaravati and Khmer culture.

- Buddhism

Evidence related to Buddhism in Sema shows the influence of Buddhism from the ancient city of Dvaravati in the central region. And it is evidence that Buddhism continued to flourish since around the 12th or 13th Buddhist century onwards (Mayuree Weeraprasert 2002:108). Religious sites were found scattered within the inner and outer cities, such as Archaeological Site No. 2, Archaeological Site. No. 3, Archaeological Site No. 4, Archaeological Site No. 5, Archaeological Site No. 7, Archaeological Site No. 8, and Archaeological Site No. 9. Characteristics of religious monuments include pagodas, viharn and castle-shaped buildings. (Partnership Puranarak 2542:241-242, Khemika Wangsuk 2000:44-46) also found a religious place outside the city, namely a reclining Buddha at Wat Thammachak Semaram. and the chedi at Wat Kaen Thao

The chedi-type religious places found have a square plan with additional corners. (Archaeological site number 2), square plan (Archaeological site number 5) Octagonal layout (Archaeological Site No. 3) and Round Plan (Archaeological Site No. 8). The temple type of religious monuments has a rectangular plan. (Archaeological Site No. 4, Archaeological Site No. 3, House No. 2, and Archaeological Site No. 9) have traces of stucco decoration in both animal and flower patterns. Another type of religious place is a castle-shaped building. There is a plan in the form of a square. The base is decorated with stucco patterns. (Archaeological site number 7)

construction techniques All archaeological sites are made of relatively large bricks with rice husks mixed with mortar, which is a characteristic of religious sites in Dvaravati culture.

Buddhist religious sites found in Sema City can be compared to many ancient sites in U-Thong Ancient City. Suphanburi Province Khu Bua Ancient City Ratchaburi Khok Maiden Ancient City Nakhon Sawan Province and the city of Fa Daet Song Yang Kalasin Province

Most of the sculptures found in Buddhism are large sandstone parapets. no engraved pattern by embroidered in pairs around the temple type religious places In addition, from the excavation of ancient monuments, many sculptures have been found. important include sandstone buddha parts Found at archaeological site No. 1, it was used to make a base for a glass wall. It looks like a Buddha image in the Dvaravati period that was influenced by Indian art in the style of Gupta and the back of the Gupta (Khemika Wangsuk 2000:172-173). Dharma Chakra pieces made of sandstone found at archaeological site No. 2, solid carved on both sides. Around the edges are carved with a pattern of Phak Kut. Next comes a circular flower pattern alternating with rhombuses. It is similar to the Thammachak Sila found at Wat Thammachak Semaram (Khemika Wangsuk 2000:173).

Brahmins

Found evidence of Brahmanism Siva sects in the 15th century onwards, when the ancient community of Muang Sema was influenced by Khmer culture. and found inscriptions referring to Brahmin religious activities Specify the age in the early Buddhist century. 15-early 16th Buddhist century, however, the text in the inscription indicates that there is a belief in Brahmanism and Buddhism in tandem.

Religious places of Brahmanism found in Sema City, namely Archaeological Site No. 1, is the largest archaeological site in the city. It consists of a Khmer-style main castle made of bricks, flanked by two wihans, surrounded by a glass wall. Construction technique uses relatively fine-grained bricks without rice husks, which is a characteristic of bricks used in the construction of religious monuments in the Khmer traditional culture without mortaring (Partnership Puranarak 1999:11-12). 1 Found several sculptures related to Brahmanism, such as Shivalling stone fragment, idol's head, idol fragment, idol base, Konnthi fragment, Somasutra pipe (Partnership of Puranarak 1999 :25-37)

Inscriptions related to Sema

The inscriptions related to the city of Sema that have been read and translated have 3 digits, and there are new inscriptions discovered from the excavation of the archaeological site No. 1 in 1999. which has no reading-translation information The details are as follows:

1. Crow's Pond Inscription ancient Khmer script Sanskrit and Khmer, dated 1411, found at Ban Bo Ika, Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. There are two sides.

The first side describes the King of Srijanasa kingdom, dedicating both male and female cattle and slaves to the monks, while the second side praises Shiva and Angsathep, who received the abandoned territories outside Kamphaengsaen. Puthet (The Fine Arts Department 1986 :23-29)

2. Inscription Sri Janasa ancient Khmer script Sanskrit and Khmer, dated 1480 AD, found at the temple area near Chikun Bridge, Mueang District, Ayutthaya Province

This main inscription begins with a glorification of Sangkara (Siva) and a glorification of Goddess Parvati, who merged with Shiva under the Athanaree. Subsequently, the list of the names of the kings of the Janaspur Kingdom (Department of Fine Arts 1986 :42-49)

3. Muang Sema Inscription ancient Khmer script Sanskrit and Khmer พบที่เมืองเสมา อำเภอสูงเนิน จังหวัดนครราชสีมา ระบุมหาศักราช 893 ซึ่งตรงกับ พ.ศ. 1514

จารึกเริ่มต้นด้วยการกล่าวนมัสการเทพเจ้าในศาสนาพราหมณ์ ได้แก่ พระศิวะ พระวิษณุ พระพรหม พระอุมา และพระสรัสวดี จากนั้นกล่าวถึงพระเจ้าชัยวรมันที่ 5 หรือพระบาทบรมวีรโลกว่าทรงเป็นโอรสของพระเจ้าราเชนทรวรมัน และทรงสืบเชื้อสายมาจากจันทรวงศ์ และกล่าวถึงพระราชกรณียกิจของพระเจ้าชัยวรมันที่ 5 สุดท้ายกล่าวถึงข้าราชการผู้ใหญ่ที่ได้สร้างเทวรูปและพระพุทธรูปไว้หลายองค์ พร้อมทั้งถวายทาสและสิ่งของต่างๆ แด่ศาสนสถาน (กรมศิลปากร 2529 :42-49)

4. จารึกหลักที่ 4 เป็นจารึกพบใหม่ระหว่างการขุดแต่งโบราณสถานหมายเลข 1 บริเวณกำแพงแก้วด้านทิศใต้ โดยจารึกถูกนำมาเป็นฐานของกำแพงแก้ว อักษรขอมโบราณ ภาษาเขมร ยังไม่มีผลของการอ่านและแปล ระบุมหาศักราช 849 ตงกับพ.ศ.1470 (เขมิกา หวังสุข 2543 :42)

ข้อความในจารึกเหล่านั้นกล่าวถึงบ้านเมืองที่ชื่อ “ศรีจนาศะ” หรือ “จนาศะปุระ” และกล่าวถึงรายพระนามของพระราชาที่ปกครองบ้านเมืองนี้ ซึ่งศ.ยอร์จ เซเดย์ สันนิษฐานว่าศูนย์กลางของบ้านเมืองที่ชื่อศรีจนาศะหรือจนาศะปุระนี้คงตั้งอยู่บริเวณที่ราบสูงโคราช และนักวิชาการหลายท่านก็เชื่อว่าคงมีศูนย์กลางอยู่ที่เมืองเสมา โดยพิจารณาจากหลักฐานโบราณคดีที่พบบริเวณเมืองเสมา (มยุรี วีระประเสริฐ 2545 :102-113)