archaeological excavation pit Muang Si Thep Historical Park

Terrain

General Condition

Si Thep City consists of both inner and outer cities. Within the city, it looks like a wavy flat. There are ponds and swamps everywhere. As for the city outside, it is a hillside slope from east to west. It is about 5 kilometers east of the Pa Sak River and away from the Hiang River. tributaries of the Pa Sak River to the north for about 8 kilometers.

At present, the ancient archaeological sites in the inner city have been excavated and restored almost completely. and within the city in which there are no people to settle down.

Most of the towns outside have not been excavated and restored. also people use in agriculture and animal husbandry in some areas The area around Si Thep town was originally a sparse forest, but is now an agricultural area.

The Archaeological Excavation Pit is a building displaying human skeletons and prehistoric elephant skeletons obtained from archaeological excavations in 1988. It is located almost west of the city center in rather west About 300 meters west of Prang Song Phi Nong, the human skeleton and objects found together are important evidence that reflects the early settlement of the community in the prehistoric period in the ancient city of Si Thep. More than 2,000 years ago, it developed into an urban society by adopting Dvaravati and Khmer cultures respectively. The skeleton of an elephant is one of the important evidence that reflects the connection with the ancient use of the Dvaravati culture in some way to the Khmer culture. because it was found on the same level as the lowest archaeological base.

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Pa Sak River, Hiang River

Geological conditions

Si Thep Ancient City in the central highlands In general, there are complex mountain ranges. Positioned in a long line from north to south. starting from Loei, Phetchabun, Saraburi and the south of Nakhon Ratchasima There are continuous undulating hills alternating with high mountains. Important mountain ranges are Dong Phaya Yen Mountains Phetchabun Mountains in the east of the city of Si Thep Types of rocks are broadly divided into two types:sedimentary rocks in the east and igneous rocks in the west.

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Archaeological age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

Archaeological excavations on a large mound in the city in 1988 found important evidence pointing to the original traces of the prehistoric city of Si Thep, namely human skeletons and artifacts at a depth of approximately 4 meters from the soil surface date to about 2,000 years ago, and later elephant skeletons. The excavation of human skeletons and artifacts is important evidence confirming the settlement of communities in The first phase started at Si Thep city before it developed into an urban society that accepted the Dvaravati and ancient Khmer civilizations in the 11th-12th Buddhist century until the city was abandoned around the end of the 18th Buddhist century or the beginning of the Buddhist century. 19

Sri Thep City Development Around the ancient city of Si Thep, archaeological evidence is quite dense. Indicates that the community has existed since the late prehistoric period. The age of around the 5-7 Buddhist century, or about 2000 years ago, is a community known for using iron tools. There is a burial tradition Correlation with late prehistoric archaeological sites found in the Lopburi-Pasak River Basin (Suraphon Damrihkul 1985:56-58; Thida Saraya 1989 :23-30)

Prehistoric community at Si Thep Choose to live in a suitable location near the water source used as a transportation route. It is a building as well as being close to a complete natural resource. causing integrity within the community and contact with external communities such as community in the central region or the Korat Plateau causing cultural integration

food consumption prehistoric At the end, evidence was found for some crops, such as rice cultivation, although the evidence could not clearly determine which side it was. But when the city developed later under the Dvaravati culture Found that the bricks used in the construction are mixed with rice husks in the bricks. The characteristics of rice grains are fat, short grains, similar to glutinous rice nowadays. Therefore, it may be said that the former Si Thep community mainly consumes rice and knows how to grow rice for community consumption.

meat consumption Most of the evidence found It is a medium-sized bony animal, deer or barking deer. Cattle, buffalo and wild boar are also consumed. For animals, there is evidence of consumption of fish, some shellfish such as clams, periwinkle, and turtle shells. The meat consumption of this community It relies on hunting and catching fish in the vicinity where many of these sites are located.

attire Archaeological excavations have not found traces of fabric fibers. This is because it is a material that decomposes over time. would suggest that there should be spinning and possibly weaving in the community.

Contact with outside communities Prehistoric Si Thep Community Connections with distant communities have been found, with evidence of beads, stones and gems such as carnelian agates, most likely imported from India or Sri Lanka, in tombs that are approximately the same age. 2000-1000 pa, or the discovery of a bronze drum showing contact with southern China or Vietnam.

Near the city of Si Thep, there is an archaeological site that indicates that There are peoples with solid cultural roots before the advent of Dvaravati culture. from excavations within the city of Si Thep around the mound Found objects buried together with the bodies, including pottery, bronze ornaments. steel tool beads and glass beads In addition, in the excavation of Ban Nong Daeng archaeological site, Sa Kruat sub-district, about 12 kilometers from Si Thep City, it was found that the burial site has a burial site that is similar to a general burial and contains objects dedicated to the funeral. such as earthenware, iron tools bronze tool and jewelry of glass beads and stones There is also an archaeological survey in the radius of 15 kilometers. There are also many late prehistoric archaeological sites, such as Ban Wang Kham Archaeological Site. Found a lot of beads. Ban Kut Ta Rae Archaeological Site It is a prehistoric tomb. These pre-Sithep communities In the late metal age or in an agricultural society where iron tools were used. It is the last stage before entering the Dvaravati culture.

Routes of contact with the outside community Thida Saraya expressed the opinion that The lower Pa Sak River Basin area can connect with outside communities by 2 routes:the Chao Phraya River, through Tha Tako District, Nakhon Sawan Province, into Chai Badan District. through Phetchabun Gorge Entering the Pasak Basin or from the Chao Phraya River through Lopburi Province Enter Chai Badan District and go the same route. another route starting from the southeast coast Passing Prachin Buri, Kabin Buri, crossing the entrance to Pak Thong Chai District to the Mun River Basin Across Phetchabun Mountains into the Pasak Basin If considering the location of the city of Si Thep A mountain range that separates the Pa Sak River Basin and the Korat Plateau. It is the Phang Hoei Mountain Range that extends from the north to the south from Phetchabun to Nakhon Ratchasima. Therefore, the transportation routes along the gorge of the Phanghei Mountain Range It was an important route for crossing from one side of the mountain range. especially traveling between the central region and other areas in the Northeast The gorge that is more suitable for walking across than the other 3 channels is the Pak Chong channel. Channels along Suranarai Road and hair wash channels

To explore the ancient route through the Phetchabun Mountains from Si Thep to the Korat Plateau of the Si Thep Historical Park. Get basic information of the communication channels between the Central Plains and the Korat Plateau, with Si Thep City as a connection point. There are 5 channels, namely

1. Chong Wichian Buri District - Phakdi Chumphon District - Nong Bua Daeng District is a gorge with a large plain, convenient to travel. But quite far from Si Thep city.

2. Chong Khao Khad and Chong Khu Yai Nud The distance from the city of Si Thep is about 15 kilometers, which is the closest channel to the city of Si Thep. From the survey found archaeological sites on the central plains. Prehistoric to a large number of historical eras. and in the northeastern part as well.

3. Chong Samran, approximately 42 kilometers from the city of Si Thep, from the survey did not find archaeological sites in the central plains.

4. Stone Bridge About 52 kilometers from the city of Si Thep is another convenient channel. Because it is a gorge near this gorge, there is Nang Hair Hom archaeological site. and there is an archaeological site of Nong Bua Kiat Nong Bua Kiat Subdistrict It has been an important source of rock salt since the past.

5. Tha Luang Chong - Excavation Checkpoint The distance from the city of Si Thep is about 70 kilometers. It is also a channel where many archaeological sites are found, dating from prehistoric to historical periods.

From the survey, it was assumed that The channel of communication between Si Thep City and the Korat Plateau that is interesting or very important first is the Khao Khad Pass. It is nearby and has a large number of corresponding archaeological sites. The next one may be a stone bridge channel. Wichian Buri District - Phakdi Chumphon District and Chong Tha Luang - Dan Khun Thot respectively

Today, the excavation is still open to show the chronological nature of the discovery. Under a building covered archaeological excavation pit located in the city.