The Plain of Jars is
a large, rolling plateau in the north-east Laos, named after the mysterious
groupings of stone jars to be found there in over a dozen sites. Others lie
strewn across the plain and the surrounding hills. At Thong Hai Hin, or Site 1,
there are 250 jars that range from about 600 kg (1,300 lb) to l tonne, and the
largest jar on the plain weighs 6 tonnes. Some have stone lids lying nearby.
Many different theories have been advanced regarding their purpose, but as no
other material has been discovered, they remain a mystery. They may have been
storage vessels, or possibly funerary urns. Even dating them reliably is
difficult, although archaeologists seem to agree that they are about 2,000 years
old.
Although this is a site of intense interest to archaeologists, and has been for decades, the Indochinese wars have prevented much work
being done here. As the flattest area in northern Laos, the plain has been extensively fought over for centuries, and during the Vietnam War it was heavily bombed by the US. Local legend has it that the jars were made to ferment the rice wine needed to celebrate victory over a cruel Chieftain — even this story reflects the war-torn history of the area.
The plain itself is often forgotten, as visitors concentrate on the jar sites, but it is beautiful in its own right, with its grassy meadows and rolling brown and purple hills. Villages have been rebuilt, and rice and fruit trees planted. Sadly the area is still not free of unexploded ordnance and only the main three jar sites are considered reasonably clear, so stay on the footpaths or take a guide.
Although this is a site of intense interest to archaeologists, and has been for decades, the Indochinese wars have prevented much work
being done here. As the flattest area in northern Laos, the plain has been extensively fought over for centuries, and during the Vietnam War it was heavily bombed by the US. Local legend has it that the jars were made to ferment the rice wine needed to celebrate victory over a cruel Chieftain — even this story reflects the war-torn history of the area.
The plain itself is often forgotten, as visitors concentrate on the jar sites, but it is beautiful in its own right, with its grassy meadows and rolling brown and purple hills. Villages have been rebuilt, and rice and fruit trees planted. Sadly the area is still not free of unexploded ordnance and only the main three jar sites are considered reasonably clear, so stay on the footpaths or take a guide.
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