The Cultural Development of the Ancient Town Wieng Lagon: Newly information from the Excavation at Wat Pongsanuk Nuea

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study the cultural development of the ancient town of Wieng Lagon, located south of Wieng Khelang. The research shows that Wieng Lagon habitation can be divided into two stages: the first stage of habitation dated by archaeological evidences to the 16th century A.D, and the second stage from the 19th century A.D.

Artifacts from the excavation can also be classified into four groups:

(1) Pottery, presumably produced in four areas, San Kamphaeng kiln, Wang Nuea or Wieng Ka Long kiln, Lampang kiln, and local kiln. In addition, a piece of blue and white Chinese porcelain, from Jingdezhen kiln in the Jiangxi county from the Ming Dynasty period was discovered.

(2) Terracotta tools, such as a clay roundel and a clay bullet.

(3) Stone tools, such as a piece of slate board and a whetstone.

(4) Architectural pieces, such as iron nails and terracotta roof tiles.