Some of the artifacts found at the site.
Patcharapol Panrak
A Chantaburi monk who claimed to have a vision of an
ancient city in the hills of central Thailand’s Lopburi Province was proven
at least partially correct when officials there uncovered additional
artifacts near the site of other well-known excavations.
Basanyasee Phikhu of the Jantharam Dhamma monastery told
visitors July 8 he had seen, during mediation, a vision of an ancient city
near Khao Rak and Khao Jua in Lopburi’s Phattana Nikhom District. At the
invitation of district residents, the monk joined a scouting party to
determine if his story could be true.
It wasn’t much of a stretch to believe it was. Phattana
Nikhom has been an active site for archeological excavation since 2006 when
144 Silpakorn University students unearthed a bronze cowbell, curved blade,
axe, marbles and human bones. The find was in line with the history of
Lopburi, which was once the route to Kab Champa, the area with rich
resources such as steel, bronze, cement and stones.
Stone monuments mark what some
believe is part of an ancient city.
The entire district has since been developed as an
archeological attraction for tourists.
Nonetheless, the monk was excited, as were residents who
found scattered rocks, marble mortars and pestles and a large stone with
drawings on it.
Suthat Mathurawongsadit, head of Phraya Dern Thong
village in Phattana Nikhom called the find a sign of good fortune, saying
there long have been rumors of a city having been located in the hills and
the superstitious believed the site was haunted by bad spirits who guarded
any artifacts that may have been there.
The mayor said she would speak to the provincial governor
to seek protection for the site.
Resident Khwanmuang Kaewkhonkaen, 62, said the so-called
find was not new, as others had found bowls and jars there before. However,
she said, tragedy befell those who did, keeping most people away from the
area.
Monk Basanyasee Phikhu of the
Jantharam Dhamma monastery points to another find.
