Khu Bua City

Terrain

General Condition

Khu Bua Ancient City is an ancient city surrounded by moats and embankments. The layout is rectangular in shape, positioned in the north-south orientation. The north and south ditches are approximately 800 meters long. The east and west sides are 2,000 meters long each. Currently, the line of the ditch and embankment is disturbed. In the past, the nature of an embankment ditch consisted of a ditch in the middle between two soil embankments. The ditch is about 50 meters wide. and the embankment is 53 meters wide. and a height of about 3 meters Almost every side of the ditch is in a shallow state, it is a plain, the villagers use it as a farming area or fill the soil for fruit planting, dig ponds for shrimp, and some have built houses. except for the north side and some parts of the east side still has a ditch Because it is a natural creek, namely Huai Khu Bua, which flows from the mountains in the west.

For the east side of the city, towards the north. which is the line of Chinna creek Currently, the Royal Irrigation Department has carried out new dredging operations. The ridge line outside the city in the east is parallel to the irrigation canal. the western part of the city The inner embankment was excavated by roads. ARD. Ban Tako - Ban Don Tum overlap almost the entire line There are still traces of the embankment. is the ridge on the west side outside the Ban Pho Ngam area which looks like an earth embankment with a width of 53 meters height 3 meters and about 200 meters in length.

Most area of ​​Khu Bua Ancient City is flat. The area within the city has houses and residences. as well as the houses of the villagers The inner city area will be located at Ku Bua Nuea Village, Ku Bua Tai Village, Ban Ra Nong, Ban Tako, Ban Sa Bot and Ban Pho Ngam. The surrounding area of ​​these villages is mostly farmland interspersed with mounds and groves. Some areas are planted fruit orchards such as bananas, coconuts, mangoes, etc., especially near Huai Khu Bua and Huai Chinsi. There are two temples located:Wat Ku Bua, located in the northern part of the city. and Wat Klong Suwan Khiri located almost in the middle of the city There is a natural creek flowing through to nourish the city, namely Huai Chinsi. which flows in from the southwest side of the city then flow back up in the north in front of Wat Klong Suwan Khiri before flowing into the eastern moat Within this city, there are 4 other ancient monuments. Because these ancient monuments are now destroyed until nothing remains.

The area outside the ditch line In the east, most of the fields are rice fields. There is an irrigation canal parallel to the moat. This outer west area is in the Ban Don area. Koh San Phra Subdistrict, Wat Phleng District, Ratchaburi Province Originally there were traces of an old waterway. which flows into the Om River that is about 2.7 kilometers away But at present the waterway is shallow. on the east side of this city Found 9 ancient ruins and archaeological sites.

The area outside the southern moat line In this area, most of the area is home to villagers' houses. Because it is in an ancient walking path that is important from the past known as "Tao U Thong Road" on the south side, there are 11 ancient monuments.

The area outside the northern moat It is the residential area of ​​the villagers. further north of the village There is a creek that flows into the moat on the west side, so natural waterways have been modified. to be a moat on the north side before flowing out of the city in the northeast corner The northwestern area near Khu Bua Creek. There are two ancient monuments. There are 5 ancient ruins in this area. The western part of the city of Ku Bua. There are natural waterways such as Huai Chinsi which flows through from Ban Huai Chin Si flows into the ancient city of Khu Bua This western area has 21 ancient monuments.

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Mae Klong River, Om River and its tributaries, namely Huai Khu Bua and Huai Chinsi

Geological conditions

The central plains are formed by flooding sediments surrounding the step plains. As a result, the archaeological sites found in the region are very old. Most are classified in the late prehistoric period to the historical period. The soil characteristics of the ancient city of Khu Bua are Nakhon Pathom (50) Thon Buri (14) Bang Pa In (30) Sara Buri (53) Damnoen Saduak (15) Banglen (9) Bangplae (13) Pran Buri (55), which It is Alluvial soil. Soil, but the ancient city came down to Hua Hin soil (16), which is classified as Regosols soil or coastal soil.

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Archaeological age

Scientific age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

Khu Bua Ancient City It is an ancient city in the Dvaravati period with a moat and earth surrounding it. The city plan is rectangular with rounded corners. Positioned in the north-south direction There are many natural creeks flowing through it. These creeks are tributaries of major rivers, namely the Om River (Mae Klong Sai Old River) and Mae Klong River.

Exploring the ancient city of Khu Bua since the year 1961 to the present Found 67 ancient sites located inside and outside the moat. The Fine Arts Department has completed 23 excavations. Most of them are the remains of stupa bases built in connection with both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Archaeological site of the ancient city of Khu Bua May be divided into 3 types (according to usage) namely

1. Ditches and embankments The ditch is in the middle between the two soil embankments. The ditch is about 50 meters wide. The embankment is about 53 meters wide, 3 meters high, and the north and south ditches are about 800 meters long on each side. The ditch and ditch on the east and west are approximately 2,000 meters long on each side. The total length of the four sides surrounding the city is about 5,680 meters.

2. Religious place From the survey found 67 places. Within the city, there are still 8 archaeological sites, namely archaeological sites number 8, 15, 18, 24, 25, 28, 36 and 46, and the area that had been surveyed and found archaeological mounds. But at present, 6 other places have been destroyed, namely Ruins 9, 16, 17, 23 and 2 other ancient sites close to Ancient Ruins No. 8. which was excavated by students of the Faculty of Archeology Silpakorn University in 1981-1983

The area outside the ditch line - the eastern ridge Six remains of archaeological sites were found, namely Archaeological Sites No. 19, 26, 31, 32, 33 and 49. But at present, there are only 2 other places that have been destroyed, which are the ancient monuments number 29 and 30.

Outside the southern moat, six remains of ancient monuments were found, namely, Archaeological Sites No. 34, 39, 41, 43, 44 and 50. But at present, there are 8 places that are destroyed until there are no remains, namely archaeological site number 35, 37, 38, 40, 42, archaeological site around Ban Nai Tom. Iam Chom, archaeological site around Ms. Sanun Khamlert's house and Nai Lert's archaeological site Phibun Row

The area outside the moat in the northwest corner Found 5 archaeological sites that still have traces, namely, Archaeological Sites No. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7. The area that had been surveyed of the mounds of the archaeological sites but now has been destroyed until 2 remains, namely, Archaeological Sites No. 3 and 4.

The area outside the moat on the west side Found 14 archaeological sites that still have traces, namely, archaeological sites number 10, 11, 12, 14, 20, 21, 45, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 and 57. Nine archaeological sites have been destroyed until they are left intact. The places are archaeological sites number 13, 22, 27, 47, 48, 58, 59, archaeological site around Ban Nai Pia Chantha, and archaeological site around Ban Nang Phat. Similar to

Ancient sites that were destroyed until there was nothing left. and unable to determine the location of another one, namely the ancient site of Ban Nai Ming bright glass

Religious places in Mahayana Buddhism as found Often popular to decorate buildings with various patterns. Even though it is a terracotta picture stucco picture sheet as well as high relief sculptures both terracotta and stucco For example, at ancient sites number 39 and 40, terracotta images of Bodhisattvas, devas, non-human beings such as Nagas, Garudas, Ghats, Giants, Raksats, Dwarfs, and various animal figures such as lions, elephants, horses, etc., were found, especially the head of the Terracotta Bodhisattva. that shows the craftsmanship of a high-class craftsman similar to the paintings inside the Ajanta Cave India The image of the Bodhisattva is still in good condition. All stand in the pose of a triphanage (hip tilted) in the shape of a siraphon, whether it is a crown, a kundal, a crown, a pahurat, etc., similar to the sculptures in Indian art in the latter Gupta style. The image of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara with a long hair curled around the Angsa. and a deer skin shape similar to that at Ajanta Cave and Ellora Caves India Until there are people who assumed that the clay sculptures found at this ancient site number 39 and 40 May be made by skilled Indian craftsmen who came to settle at Khu Bua (Art Bhirasri 1961:60) in the 11th-13th Buddhist century.

One of the most important places of worship is evidence of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. Historic Site No. 18 or Wat Klong Suwan Khiri located almost in the center of Khu Bua It is the largest in size among the Buddhist places in Khu Bua. assumed to be the base of the temple because there is a rectangular plan The appearance of this ancient base is similar to the Khao Klang Buddhist temple in In the middle of the ancient city of Si Thep, Phetchabun Province, there was also a small bronze Bodhisattva sculpture. It has a similar style to the sculptures found in the south.

As for religious places in Theravada Buddhism, they are not very popular with decorations. There may be only patterned bricks or decorative terracotta-patterned pieces. Or it could be a picture sheet telling a story in Buddhism, such as a picture of a stucco adorning the historic site No. 10, a picture from a fairy tale in the Sarawatiwat sect. These images are similar to the stucco painting on the base of Chula Prathon Chedi, Nakhon Pathom Province, which was widely popular in Southeast Asia around the 12th Buddhist century.

Another interesting archaeological site is Archaeological Site No. 1, where a gold casket was found. containing the Buddha's relics, covered with a silver casket Lotus carved lid Contained in the middle of the rectangular box which has 5 holes. placed under the base The box is similar to the one found at Sathing Phra, Songkhla Province, and is similar to the foundation stone laying box of Lanka known as "Yantarakan". Normally, there are 9 compartments. or more To contain various symbols related to the belief in the universe that originated from India All reflect the belief in the worship of the Buddha's relics. and the laying of the foundation stone for building construction which continues to the present (Patcharin Happy Auction 1991:83)

Most of the construction materials are large bricks. width about 18 cm Length 34 centimeters and a thickness of 8 cm. The clay used for burning is a mixture of large rice husks. Most of the ancient sites used bricks as building materials. There is only one archaeological site, which is archaeological site number 18, Wat Klong Suwan Khiri. with laterite base

laying the foundation of the building before construction Most of them use sand to level the floor and level it up and then start masonry. The construction of most religious buildings was brick lined up using clay or mortar. As for the nature of building base, there are 2 forms:

- The entire solid brickwork In the middle of the pagoda, there is a special brick. which is assumed to be the brick used in laying the foundation stone The appearance of the brick surface is polished. Sometimes it is found that there is gold leaf covering it.

- The masonry is organized only on the outer lines As for the floor line in the chedi, use soil or broken bricks to fill in the middle.

Characteristics of the ancient base found from excavation during the year 1961-1963 can be divided into 8 forms (Somsak Rattanakul 1992:24-26) is

2.1 The square base is brick straight up normally, no porch shortening.

2.2 Square base On the square base is a square chedi. Each side has 3 porches protruding on each side.

2.3 Square base There is a chopping board base stacked up in layers. and there is an arch around the pagoda.

2.4 Square base There are ladders protruding from the base on all four sides or on one side.

2.5 Square base There is a porch protruding from the four corners.

2.6 Rectangular base

2.7 Round base

2.8 Octagonal base

3. Habitat Currently, mounds have been found, archaeological sites with traces of ancient artifacts related to daily life. There are 3 residential areas, namely

- Residential areas around Ban Don Located outside Khu Bua town in the east, in Ban Don District, Ko San Phra Subdistrict, Wat Phleng District, found fragments of earthenware, both smooth surface and surface decorated with scratch, rope, and stamp patterns scattered around. go crazy Also found some rubble.

- Residence in front of Wat Khong Located on the inner ridge line in the east, almost in the center of Khu Bua City. Found artifacts such as fragments of clay pots. เศษเครื่องเคลือบสีเขียวแบบจีน เบี้ยดินเผา หินบด ลูกปัดแก้ว และก้อนอิฐจำนวนหนึ่ง

- แหล่งที่อยู่อาศัยบ้านสระโบสถ์  อยู่ในตัวเมืองใกล้กับคูเมืองด้านทิศตะวันออกค่อนไปทางด้านใต้ใกล้กับโบราณสถานหมายเลข 28 พบเศษภาชนะดินเผาเนื้อดินกระจายอยู่ทั่วไป

โบราณวัตถุที่พบที่เมืองคูบัว มีทั้งที่เป็นของที่ทำขึ้นเนื่องในศาสนาและทำขึ้นเพื่อใช้ในชีวิตประจำวัน โบราณวัตถุที่ทำขึ้นเนื่องในศาสนา นอกจากประติมากรรมประดับอาคารศาสนสถานที่ได้กล่าวมาแล้ว ยังพบพระพุทธรูปดินเผาและพระพุทธรูปปูนปั้น ส่วนใหญ่เป็นพระพุทธรูปประทับนั่งห้อยพระบาทมีดอกบัวรองรับ ปางแสดงพระธรรมเทศนา นอกจากนี้ยังได้พบพระพิมพ์ ทั้งที่ทำจากดินเผาและหินชนวน ชิ้นส่วนธรรมจักรศิลา ประติมากรรมรูปบุคคลที่ทำด้วยดินเผาและปูนปั้น ภาพบุคคลที่พบนี้สะท้อนให้เห็นถึงวิถีชีวิตของคนในเมืองโบราณคูบัวในเวลานั้นได้เป็นอย่างดี ไม่ว่าจะเป็นรูปร่างหน้าตา การแต่งกาย การดำรงชีวิต ลักษณะสังคม และเศรษฐกิจ ตลอดจนการติดต่อสัมพันธ์กับชุมชนภายนอกที่มาจากโพ้นทะเล เช่น ภาพดินเผารูปผู้ชายไว้เครา แต่งกายมีผ้าโพกศีรษะแหลม สวมรองเท้าบู๊ท สันนิษฐานว่าอาจเป็นชาวอาหรับที่เดินทางเข้ามาค้าขาย

โบราณวัตถุที่ทำขึ้นใช้ในชีวิตประจำวัน ได้แก่ ภาชนะดินเผา เครื่องมือเครื่องใช้ที่ทำด้วยดินเผา อาทิ ตะคัน ตะเกียง แว ลูกกระสุน ที่ประทับลวดลาย เครื่องประดับทำจากโลหะ เครื่องมือโลหะ ลูกปัดแก้ว ฯลฯ รูปแบบของเครื่องมือเครื่องใช้ และเครื่องประดับที่เหล่านี้ ล้วนแต่สืบทอดมาจากยุคก่อนประวัติศาสตร์ แต่มีเทคนิคและวิธีการที่ซับซ้อนขึ้น สะท้อนให้เห็นถึงถึงพัฒนาการทางด้านเทคโนโลยีที่สูงขึ้น