Terrain
General condition
In the past, Ban Don Tao It was desolate until 1965 when villagers settled and developed into a village. At present, there is a school and Wat Don Tao It as a community center. The ancient hill is located behind the school. between the school and the temple It looks like a vast upland. size about 100 rai There is a river of Nong Nok Thong flowing through the west side. But this river is now shallow.
Height above mean sea level
5 metersWaterway
Nong Nok Thong River, Klong Takob
Geological conditions
In the past (early Holocene), the area around the archaeological site was a beach or sand dunes. Currently in Don the flood did not reach It has an area of approximately 100 rai, surrounded by an old tidal flat with the Nong Nok Thong River on the west side of the source. This river is now shallow. farther south There is a canal that flows into the sea. At present, Ban Don Tao It is located approximately from the coast. 2 kilometers
Archaeological Era
historical eraera/culture
Dvaravati period, Ayutthaya periodArchaeological age
Around the 12th-16th Buddhist century onwardsTypes of archaeological sites
habitatarchaeological essence
From the survey found ancient hills which looks like a mound covered with weeds The diameter of the hill is about 10 meters, the height is 1 meter. On the hill, bricks are scattered everywhere (width 12 cm., thickness 6 cm). There is a lot of rice husk in the brick.
The villagers said that this mound had been excavated (Chatchai Wordsart et al. 1990 :53) about 3 meters deep to bring bricks to build an ubosot of a temple and in 1987 Wat Don Tao It brought a tractor to cut down on the hill. causing a lot of damage to the ancient site, however, the villagers In the area, this hill is believed to be an ancient brick kiln. therefore called this place “Ban Don Tao Brick”
But from the survey, it is not clear whether the buildings within this hill It is a religious place made of bricks or a brick kiln.
Antiques found from the survey Found densely in the western part of the hill. Some of the artifacts were kept at Wat Banphatawas. (Office of Archeology and National Museum No. 1, Ratchaburi, 1998 :69) Antiques discovered by Chatchai Wordsart and others (1990 :53-57) discovered are as follows
1. Wraps of clay pottery (Earthenware) forming with dial The texture is quite coarse. with sand and gravel Found in the mouth, body, ridge, spout, bottom, especially the ridge, it is found very often and has many forms. Colorful clay pots are widely used in the Dvaravati cultural community. The surface decoration of the vessel found has a wave-like curving pattern. Digging in parallel lines, herringbone pattern and Polished container
2. Tough earthenware fragments (Stoneware) It is the bottom part of 1 container. The exterior is a digging pattern. Similar to the pottery made from Ban Bang Poon kilns. Suphanburi Province
3. Chinese wares (Chinese Porcelain) It looks like a white coated jar. Song Dynasty (17-18 Buddhist century) diameter 4 cm. height 3 cm Also found pieces of Chinese wares made from Shantou kilns and Qing kitchen kilns (located in the south of present-day China) aged around the 23rd-24th Buddhist century, corresponding to the late Ayutthaya period.
4. White and brown stone beads Made from agate 3 cm long Diameter 1 cm
5. terracotta cork or stamp
6. Crusher Made of sandstone.
7. animal bones Types of mammals such as deer, cows, elephants
Evidence from the survey It is assumed that the area around Ban Don Tao It is probably an ancient community in Dvaravati culture. and have lived until the Ayutthaya period Within the community in the Dvaravati period, there are traces of brick structures (the exact shape is not yet known).
Considering the location of this community on the coast and having waterways connected to the sea. Therefore, it is assumed that it is a coastal community that is in the maritime route along the coast. have contact with foreigners and local communities especially by boats that come into contact with trade or stop by the way.