Giant Pots of Laos

Have you ever heard of the giant pots of Laos? They have been rediscovered at ancient sites in forests, on hillsides and along mountain ridges in remote central Laos.

The plain of Jars consists of thousands of ancient stone vessels scattered over hundreds of square miles. The region is a hilly area, despite the “plain” in the name. The huge jars evoke an otherworld atmosphere. Some are up to ten feet tall and weigh several tons. The enormous endeavors must have required some massive workers, or so some believe.  A local legend declares that “a tribe of giants used them as wine chalices to celebrate a great victory.”

Similar cauldrons exist elsewhere, including in a part of India some 600 miles away, but it’s still undetermined who made the ones in Laos. Several human burials, thought to be around 2,500 years old, have been found at some of these sites. However, nothing is known about the people who originally made the jars, leaving archaeologist to speculate about their origins.

The area where the ancient jars lie is one of the most heavily bombed in the whole world. The American government dropped an estimated 2 million tons of bombs while fighting against Vietnam. The region still includes live bombs, land mines and other unexploded weapons. Defying the ravages of war, the enigmatic Plain of Jars remains an archaeological marvel, drawing throngs of visitors to northeastern Laos. As tourists navigate the carefully marked trails, they are met with an awe-inspiring sight. Hundreds of ancient, mysterious jars, silently guarding the secrets of a long-forgotten civilization.

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Sources:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/ancient-urns-or-drinking-vessels-giants-behind-laos-mysterious-plain-jars-180955462/

https://www.livescience.com/65526-jars-of-the-dead-found-laos.html