Ancient human remains discovered in Nakhon Ratchasima
Villagers in Nakhon Ratchasima stumbled upon human skulls and bone fragments believed to be centuries old, alongside broken pottery shards. Police have been notified and archaeological experts are being consulted.
The discovery occurred near the Sap Pradu Reservoir in Sikhiu district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, when 60 year old local Somkhuan Phangkaewkam, was tending to his cattle.
He noticed what initially appeared to be animal bones but, upon closer inspection, identified them as human remains, including a jawbone and intact teeth. This prompted Somkhuan to report the findings to the village headman, Atthapol Pholchanthuek, who in turn informed the police.
“I have been grazing my cattle here for years and never noticed anything unusual until yesterday when I saw these bone fragments.”
Somkhuan added that the area where the bones were found was previously farmland before an irrigation project resulted in dredging around the reservoir. The recent heavy rains caused soil erosion, revealing the skeletal remains and pottery shards.
This has led to speculation that the site might have been an ancient settlement. The bones were found at a shallow depth of 80 to 100 centimetres, indicating how close they were to the surface, said Atthapol Pholchanthuek.
“This area was farmland, and after excavation, the rain exposed these remains. We suspect they are several hundred years old.”
The site has been secured to prevent further disturbance, while they await a detailed investigation by the Fine Arts Department officials, expected tomorrow. The discovery included two distinct skulls; one smaller, possibly belonging to a woman or child, and another larger one, likely a man’s. Alongside these were other bone fragments embedded in the shallow soil, visible but undisturbed.
The unearthed artefacts suggest a significant historical value, as the pottery and bones might offer insights into past human settlements in the region. This discovery adds to the mystery surrounding the area, potentially shedding light on its historical significance.
Meanwhile, local officials have taken precautionary measures to ensure the site remains undisturbed until experts conduct a thorough examination. This will include precise dating and analysis of the artefacts to understand better the historical context and significance of the find, reported KhaoSod.
“We expect more bones to be uncovered once the archaeological team begins their work,” Atthapol added.
