'Plain of Jars', one of the most mysterious archaeological sites, reveals its true age

[Judi Lynn]

By Tom Metcalfe - Live Science Contributor about 15 hours ago



The latest research from the Plain of Jars combines the ages of some of the stone jars with the ages of some of the burials – most of the burials were found to be much younger than the stone jars. (Image credit: Plain of Jars Archaeological Project)

The mysterious Plain of Jars in northern Laos — a landscape dotted with massive stone jars hewn from sandstone thousands of years ago — was likely used as a burial site for much longer than previously suspected, and perhaps for up to 2,000 years, according to new research.

The massive jars, which were likely used to expose the dead to the elements until only their bones were left to be buried, could be more than 3,000 years old, new tests suggest.

But the research also suggests that most of the human remains buried in the ground beside the ancient jars were interred there between 700 and 1,200 years ago.

"What we surmise from that is the enduring ritual significance of these sites," University of Melbourne archaeologist Louise Shewan told Live Science. "They were important for a very long time."

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https://www.livescience.com/plain-of-jars-burial-site-true-age.html