Keng Cave, Deer Cave

Terrain

General Condition

Tham Keng or Tham Kwang is in the group of paintings of the Buddha's feet behind the turtle. It is located in Ban Muang Phan, Mueang Phan Subdistrict, Ban Phue District, Udon Thani Province, which is a flat area in the southern ridge of Phu Phra Bat. Important ancient sites in this group are:Buddha's back foot Stone shed near King's lagoon 1, stone shed near King's lagoon 2, stone shed near King's lagoon 3 and Tham Keng or Tham Kwang

The general appearance of Tham Geng or Tham Kwang is a large rock shed that consists of two large stones overlapping like mushrooms. The top stone, measuring 3 meters wide, 5 meters long, and 5 meters high from the ground, is placed over the lower rock 5.5 meters wide, 5 meters long, 5 meters high, and between the two stones is a gap or a wide rock cavity. 1.2 meters, 3 meters long, 1.2 meters high that can penetrate to the north and south (Pitachai Chatuchai 2010:195)

Phu Phan or Phu Phan Kham is a sandstone mountain range that lies in the north-south direction. in the west of Udon Thani Province and Sakon Nakhon Basin

The general condition of Phu Phra Bat is sparse forest. There are natural vegetation types such as hardwood trees, maka wood, red wood, Ching Chang wood, Pradu wood, and deciduous dipterocarp trees. On Phu Phra Bat, there are many open stone terraces, rocks and sandstone sheds scattered around. caused by the action of water and wind on the sandstone.

Because there are quite a lot of hardwood covered. Together with many other natural plants, Phu Phra Bat is classified in the National Reserved Forest Area, “Pah Khuean Nam”, and is the source of many streams such as Huai Hin Lat, Huai Dan Yai, Huai Hin Rong, Huai Nang Usa and Huai Khok Khat. which flows into the east, confluence with the Mekong River at Tha Bo District Nong Khai Province

The plains surrounding the mountains are mainly cultivated for rice and cassava. The eastern valley of Phu Phra Bat is the largest valley characterized by undulating plains. Most of the area is cultivated for rice and cassava. This valley is commonly known as Lup Phan.

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Huai Hin Lat, Huai Dan Yai, Huai Hin Rong, Huai Nang Usa, Huai Khok Khad, Huai Mong, Mekong River

Geological conditions

Phu Phra Bat is a sandstone hill. in the Phu Phan Noi mountain range at the edge of the western plateau of Udon Thani Sandstone is white, orange, pebbled, grit consists of quartz, chert, red talc. some igneous rocks with traces There are shale and gravel interspersed. It is in the Phu Phan rock unit, Korat series, in the lower - mid-Cretaceous period, or about 90-140 million years ago. The sandstone in the area has outstanding geological features. Because there are different properties in each floor. and has undergone geological erosion by water and wind. Makes the appearance of the landscape that is strange in many areas, such as Hor Nang Usa, Tham Chang, Father Ta's coffin, Thao Baros coffin, Nang Usa coffin, Pho Ta temple, Phra Ku Nang Usa cave, Nang Usa pond. Quail Stone Shed as well as the geological, physical and geological features found in the sandstone. which is a clear stratum or sedimentary rock For example, showing interleaving layers with gravel layers. An oblique-level display showing a change in water flow direction. (Department of Mineral Resources 2009 :38-39)

various shapes formed from sandstone and gravel sand have different texture The highly durable rock layers protrude into rock sheds. or a layer of rock overlaid on top The less durable rock layers will erode. or being eroded or is a concave part under the hard rock Become a rock shed or a rocky cliff such as Hor Nang Usa, etc.

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Archaeological age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

There are patterns of colored paintings appearing on the ceiling of the stone sheds. which can be divided into 3 points (Pitachai Chatuchai 2010:194; Payao Khemnak 1996 :152-153)

Picture 1 is drawn as a line drawing in orange color. The ceiling area in the center of the stone shed It has a wheel-like pattern with curves drawn and dashed like a horse's panel.

Picture 2 is drawn in a line drawing in orange color. The wall of the stone shed on the northeast side It has a grid pattern, irregular shape, and trailing jagged lines, similar to animal skeletons.

Picture 3 is written in a thick line drawing in red. The wall of the stone shed on the north side The thickness of the line is about 1.5 centimeters. Or like a deer head with horns

Pitakchai Chatuchai (2010:196) From the nature of the stone shed with a room and a raised head up to 5 meters from the stone courtyard, it is suitable for use as a residence. or using temporary shelters to hunt animals while hunting and hunting. It can also help prevent dangerous beasts as well. And the patterns of color paintings found are probably symbolic to represent the possession or territorial possession of a family or group of people for the benefit of living during the Late Prehistoric period, the Metal Age. Around 3,000-2,500 years ago

From the physical characteristics of the source that is a high rock shed and the area above that can accommodate 4-5 people, there are also patterns of color paintings that almost fill the ceiling of the stone sheds. Therefore, it must demonstrate the continuous and consistent use of space among people. In addition, the bottom is also a stone courtyard with enough space for various activities or ceremonies. Therefore, Tham Keng may be related to being used as an area used for ceremonies as well (Pakchai Chatuchai 2010:196).