Construction of the excavation pit of Wat Chom Chuen

Terrain

General Condition

Wat Chom Chuen archaeological excavation pit is located to the east of Wat Chom Chuen archaeological site. Outside the city of Si Satchanalai It is located in the west of Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat Chaliang. In the area that was part of the original city of Chaliang before it developed into Si Satchanalai in the Sukhothai period Currently in Si Satchanalai Historical Park Si Satchanalai District Sukhothai

Wat Chom Chuen archaeological site and archaeological site are located on the plains along the Yom River. in the area where the Yom River flows around causing this area to be flanked by the Yom River on the north and south (Currently, the distance between the Yom River on the north and the south at Chom Chuen Temple is about 200 meters) and because the area is flanked by the Yom River on both sides therefore being eroded by the Yom River and eroded all the time especially the south side of the temple which has been eroded until the city walls that once existed collapsed into the river The area that is believed to be the city of Cheliong is therefore narrow.

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Yom River

Geological conditions

The condition of the area around Wat Chom Chuen is a plain along the Yom River. Characteristics of sandy clay loam caused by Yom River sediments carried over and deposited. Shows frequent flooding conditions in the past.

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Archaeological age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

Archaeological evidence from excavations to the east of Wat Chom Chuen shows evidence of the historical development of the Yom River Basin. especially in Si Satchanalai and Chaliang as well.

From the operations in both 1993 and 1995, together with additional information obtained from the excavation according to the project to improve the excavation pit of Wat Chom Chuen in 2005, cultural stratification can be classified. can be in 5 different periods (Tada Suthinet et al. 2540) namely

1.Late Prehistoric

The age can be determined around the 9th Buddhist century. Important evidences are found. Coarse earthenware fragments Made by hand, low quality, with traces of use. Therefore, it is assumed that during that time The community is still small. There is not much population. It may be a semi-permanent setting. Subsistence by hunting, foraging for wild things or aquatic animals in the Yom River and around Kaeng Luang. which is a rich source of food.

Contemporary archeological sites in neighboring areas include Ban Bueng Ya Archaeological Site, Khiri Mat District, Khao Khen-Khao Ka Archaeological Site, Srinagar District, and Ban Bueng Nuea Archaeological Site. Si Samrong District Sukhothai

2.Early history

The age can be determined around the 11th-16th Buddhist century, contemporary Dvaravati culture in the central region. During this period, the area around Wat Chom Chuen was used as a cemetery or the floor of the whole corpse. As 15 human skeletons were found in excavations.

The results of the analysis of 15 skeletons found in the excavation site of Wat Chom Chuen. It was found that 4 skeletons were female, 1 skeleton was male, 4 skeletons were children, and 6 skeletons could not be identified. The average height of the female was 160.05 cm (Thai-Chinese equation) and 161.90 cm (White American equation), male 168.03. centimeters (Thai-Chinese equation) and 169.37 centimeters (American Caucasian equation). Not different from those found in other archaeological sites. in Thailand (Tada Suthinet et al. 1997 :124)

In the examination of the teeth of 11 adult skeletons, no signs of caries, periodontal disease, gonorrhea or gonorrhea were found. (Abscess)

No signs of disease or low frequency doses and high infant survival rates. That is, the ratio of the adult skeleton is greater than that of children and infants. reflect that This community has relatively good nutritional and general health.

In addition, tooth abrasion was performed on both the cutting edge and the labial surface, and the teeth had black stains. which may be caused by eating betel nut The nature of polishing or raining teeth Assumed to be caused by the use of some solid bark. or it may be betel nut bark come to rub or floss your teeth often (People who like to eat betel nuts often use betel nuts or bark to rub their teeth or scrub their teeth. This is a behavior that has been inherited for a long time from the past to the present.) The nature of this tooth rain is different from other archaeological sites. Found in Thailand, such as Ban Kao Archaeological Site, Kanchanaburi Province, and Non Nok Tha Archaeological Site, Khon Kaen Province, where the cutting edge was found on only one side (Tada Sutthinet et al. 1997 :125)

burial ceremony It was found that the people at Wat Chom Chuen had their own unique burial rituals, that is, they were found to be buried in a stretched sideways manner. Lie on your back for a long time and lie on your side with your knees bent. Buried the deceased to turn their heads in the same direction, west or north. Items, especially jewelry and utensils, were dedicated to the deceased. by burial with a corpse but no exact number is specified. This may depend on the status of the deceased or the economic situation of this group (Tada Suthinet et al. 1997:125).

Items dedicated to the deceased were found in small quantities. The reason may be due to the economic conditions of the community may not be good. or the location of the community in a remote area Therefore, cultural exchanges with other peoples were in small numbers, or perhaps with the arrival of Buddhism in the late period. which has caused a change to traditional belief patterns.

During this time, such communities are likely to have permanent settlements. and has expanded from the original as evidence of an increasing number of residents was found nearby. For example, the area of ​​Wat Chao Chan, located 300 meters northwest of the excavation pit, and at Wat Chang Lom. Located in the city of Si Satchanalai where evidence of the same type of burial was found.

lifestyle patterns of people in the community should make a living by cultivating and raising animals Presumably there will be hunting and fishing as a seasonal supplement.

In addition to that, the community has connections with neighboring communities. As found from antiques such as glass beads, quartz, carnelian and agate, a group of ordinary clay pottery found in the Dvaravati culture. Similar to other common archaeological sites, such as Ban Taling Chan Archaeological Site Ban Dan Lan Hoi District, etc.

This group is probably in the semi-prehistoric period until the Dvaravati period. not alone have contact with other people and have adopted their example but still maintain their traditional traditions.

3. The Khmer period to the early Sukhothai period

Set the age of around the 17th-18th Buddhist century, found evidence of a group of 3 brick archaeological remains, fragments of clay pipes. Fragments of tough clay pots without glaze. The shards of green-coated tough earthenware and animal bones. The area was used as a religious place. And there are traces of being abandoned at certain times or in certain seasons. Consistent with evidence of deposition of sediments caused by floods and deposition layers from coarse gravel and fine sand. This is likely to happen at least twice.

during this period Assumed that the social conditions have developed into a country. There is a center of power or community center in the city of Cheliong. The nature of the community is the establishment of parents. Religious places were built for ceremonies and were also symbols of the power of Buddhist leaders. As found that Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat Chiang was built Wat Chachan and Wat Chom Chuen including the 3 brick archaeological sites found within the excavation pits influenced by Khmer art in the 17th-18th Buddhist century.

On the production side, there is a division of labor in the manner of using special skilled technicians. For example, the production of pottery, Chaliang wares or Mon wares. which has been transmitted or imitated the production techniques of Khmer wares and Chinese wares during the Sung Dynasty.

The way of living includes cultivation and animal husbandry. Including finding wild items and catching fish for consumption.

Trade and exchange with other communities There are contacts with neighboring communities and distant communities, such as communities in the Thaek Khao Luang group, Khlong Yang, Khlong Mae Ramphan, and the ancient city group in the Lamphun-Chiang Mai Basin. including Khmer-style city groups or cultural centers in the central and northeastern regions such as Lopburi, Si Thep, Phimai, etc.

4. Sukhothai to Ayutthaya period

The age can be around the 19th-21st Buddhist century. In this period, Wat Chom Chuen is classified as an area outside the city on the east side of the city of Si Satchanalai, which is the capital of Suthai. Later, when Sutai was annexed to the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the early 21st Buddhist century, and there was a reform of the government during the reign of King Borom Trai Lokanat. (1991-2031) Si Satchanalai was therefore reduced to only the northern provinces. and used as a buffer zone with cities in the Lanna Kingdom In the reign of King Tilokkarat Si Satchanalai was occupied by the Lanna Kingdom for about 14 years (2003-2017).

During this time, the area inside the excavation pit was contemporary with the architectural building of Wat Chom Chuen. which consists of a pagoda and a viharn Which was built around the Buddhist century? 19-20 and has been restored in the 21st Buddhist century. There are traces of activities such as preparing or cooking food, dumping rubbish, including burial in the style of a second burial. The soil layer is gray-black. which arise from the components of various types of organic substances This indicates that the activity is quite dense.

Artifacts found in the clay layer are classified as having the highest density. including a group of clay roof tiles, earthenware and earthenware scraps from the Sangkhalok kiln (Ban Koh Noi, Ba Pa Yang) Tao Suthai, Lamphun Tao source Ban Bang Poon stove The source of Ban Ta Pa Khao is lost. and the source of the Noi River stove including those obtained from foreign imports, both from China, in the Yuan and Ming dynasties wares. and a group of Vietnamese wares from the Le Dynasty period to ferment with the age of contemporary production with this cultural hierarchy.

In addition, a group of end animal bones of the type Pets, wildlife, small mammals and aquatic animals such as mollusks, freshwater fish, turtles and sea turtles, as well as antiques such as net weights, whetstones, metal nails, clay chips, clay dolls, clay crucibles and crucibles. Etc. shows that the lifestyle is likely to be an agricultural community combined with hunting, catching and hunting for wild animals, with tools and utensils produced by the pottery and metal manufacturing industries.

5. Ayutthaya to Rattanakosin period

At the beginning of this period Sawankhalok City still plays a role as an outpost of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Until when Ayutthaya lost the city to Burma in 1767, when King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great ascended to be the first king of the Chakri dynasty. His Majesty To move the town of Sawankhalok to the Wang Mai Khon Subdistrict. In the present Sawankhalok District in 1785, the former city of Sawankhalok, including the excavation site of Wat Chom Chuen, therefore reduced the concentration of use and may be abandoned at some point.

The soil layer is characterized by silty loam. The color of the clay is yellow and clumps. The artifacts found have decreased in density from the original. Most of them are fragments of clay tiles and fragments of porcelain wares from the Ming to Qing dynasties. In addition, satang and baht coins were found mixed in the soil. and the disturbance of the soil layer from human actions in the present by digging for antiquities.