The Level of clay jugs (Plain of Jars) are several plateaus in the province Xieng Khouang in Laos.
background
About 12 kilometers southeast of Phonsavan there is the enigmatic Plain of Jars, called Thong Hay Hin by the locals. Since the discovery of this particular prehistoric site, archaeologists and tourists have come to Phone Savanh time and again to visit this plain in amazement. On an area of about 25 hectares you will find over 300 unusual, gigantic stone vessels and equally large lids, the dimensions and weights of which are astounding. There are several of these sites with these stone vessels, but the largest and most visited site is Phone Savanh. Around 60 of these stone vessels can be found here.
The inhabitants call the largest of the stone vessels uncovered king jar, the king's jug. It is 2.57 meters high, has a diameter of 2.5 meters and is said to weigh a good 6,000 kg. Allegedly there is even an unexcavated stone vessel over 3 meters high, the weight of which is estimated at around 8,000-10,000 kilos. Most of them, however, are between 1 meter and 2.5 meters high, which should at least weigh several hundred kilos, but there are also smaller stone vessels that are only 0.5 meters high. The shapes are mostly cylindrical, but also partly oval to rectangular. During the Vietnam War, this plain was bombed by the Americans, so that not only can countless bomb craters be seen here, but many of the ancient stone jugs were also badly damaged or destroyed. Mines have also been cleared here for years to make the site accessible.
The age of the mysterious stone vessels is estimated by archaeologists to be at least 2,500-3,000 years, some claim that they could even be up to 10,000 years old. This means that these stone jugs have not yet been clearly dated. Even today there is arguing about where this hard sandstone comes from, as there is no hard sandstone within a radius of 100 km. There are also no clear explanations about the processing and transport of the heavy stone vessels.
Likewise, nothing really is known about the builder and the purpose of the giant vessels. In old legends, these stone vessels were also referred to as the drinking vessels of the gods or the drinking vessels of giants. According to an old folk legend, the mysterious Khon Paet Sook, the eight-cubit-people, are named as builders. These fabulous 3-4 meter tall people are said to have made these stone jugs from a type of concrete that hardly differs from natural stone. On closer examination one really thinks that the vessels look like they have been cast. Many theories about meaning and purpose emerged, but to this day it remains a mystery like the statues on Easter Island.
There are a good dozen individual levels covered with these clay jugs. However, around 10 of them have not yet been demined and are therefore not accessible. Tourists can reach 3 of the levels by car without any problems.
landscape
The different levels of the clay jugs lie in a hilly savannah landscape south to south-west of Phonsavan. The plateau is well over 1000m high. The landscape is characterized by numerous small and large lakes, not all of which are of natural origin. Many of them are bomb craters that have slowly filled with water.
The landscape and the surrounding areas are shaped by unique decorations and flower pots. Rockets or bombs often decorate the gardens, and many plants grow in steel helmets.
climate
On the plateau it can always be very cool at night in summer. Temperatures close to 0 ° C are not uncommon.
getting there
Fees / permits
- Plain of Jars Site 1: Opening times daily between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Entrance fee 15,000 kip.
- Plain of Jars Site 2: Opening times daily between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Entrance fee 10,000 kip.
- Plain of Jars Site 3: Opening times daily between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Entrance fee 10,000 kip.
Tourist Attractions
- Plain of Jars Site 1. The largest of the plains is about 8 km southwest of Phonsavan. There are 307 clay jugs weighing 200–1000 kg with a diameter of up to 1 m. There is a cave in the area. The Pathet Lao holed up here during the Vietnam War, so the cave was riddled with bombs.
- Plain of Jars Site 2. This plain is about 8 km south of Phonsavan. A good 90 jugs can be admired here.
- Plain of Jars Site 3. 9 km south of Phonsavan is this place. From the parked car you have to walk a few minutes through rice fields. This is how you get to the 100 or so jugs.
activities
accommodation
The provincial capital Phonsavan is the ideal starting point for tours to the plains of the clay jugs.
security
As in the entire province of Xieng Khouang, there is also a risk of mines in the plains of the clay jugs outside the marked paths. Corresponding signs and floor markings must be observed!
trips
literature
Web links
- Laos and the enigmatic stone jugs by Wilfried Stevens
- The Plain of Jars Homepage (English)
