cave

Terrain

General Condition

Tham Khon is the same rock shelter as Tham Wua. Archaeological site in the group of Wat Pho Ta - Son-in-law which is a group of ancient sites in the plains area of ​​the northern ridge of Phu Phra Bat The area surrounding the ancient site is a forest.

The condition of the source is a large rock shack consisting of stones 5 meters wide, 11 meters long and 3 meters high from the ground, stacked on a large pile of rocks. and part of it was a collapsed rock shed. The stone shed extends to the north side (Pitachai Chatuchai 2010:56) There are stone sheds around the sides resulting from the separation of the stone sheds. causing a rocky shed around that and a stone recess The paintings found are in two groups:Northeastern and Southeastern The northeast side is called "Tham Khon", the southeastern side is called "Tham Wua" (Archaeology Division 2532 Kor; 175) and the south side found traces of stone extraction into a pedestal similar to the Buddha image (Phayao Khem Nak). and Monchan Namthip 1990 :45)

Phu Phra Bat is a small sandstone mountain. A child in the Phu Phan mountain range or Phu Phan Kham. The average height above sea level is about 320-350 meters. The west of the mountain is steep. and cant descend to the east.

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

Tham Khon is the same rock shed as the source of the Wua cave paintings. The condition of the source is a large rock shack consisting of stones 5 meters wide, 11 meters long and 3 meters high from the ground, stacked on a large pile of rocks. and part of it was a collapsed rock shed. The stone shed extends to the north side (Pitachai Chatuchai 2010:56) There are stone sheds around the sides resulting from the separation of the stone sheds. causing a rocky shed around that and a stone recess The paintings found are in two groups:Northeastern and Southeastern The northeast side is called "Tham Khon", the southeastern side is called "Tham Wua" (Archaeology Division 2532 Kor; 175) and the south side found traces of stone extraction into a pedestal similar to the Buddha image (Phayao Khem Nak). and Monchan Namthip 1990 :45)

For the source name is derived from the image written on the stone wall. The paintings were found on the stone walls and ceiling. The most prominent and visible image is a group of people painting on a stone wall, 1.5 meters high, 4 meters long, representing 7 people, originally in a row to the east. written in dark red It is a solid silhouette of 5 people, 2 outline style. These 7 figures are characterized by broad shoulders. The legs are shorter than the body, the calves are grown, do not have ears, eyes, nose, mouth and clothing (Phayao Khemnak 1996 :140-141)

The first person was in the lead, 95 centimeters tall, standing with his legs spread flat, his feet facing out. The left hand and the right hand can clearly see all 5 fingers on both hands.

The second person is 110 centimeters tall, the head facing the east. write on the side Right arm raised forward, no forearm, left arm left behind, clinging to the third arm, step left foot out in a walking position.

The third person is 90 centimeters tall, has neck-length hair, at the end of the bent, stands in a spread-legged position. The right hand clings to the left hand of the 2nd person. All 5 fingers are clearly visible. The left hand is placed at the waist.

The fourth person, 90 centimeters tall, also stood with his legs spread. Between the legs, a cylindrical shape resembles a penis. The right hand is at the knee of the 3rd person, the left hand reaches out to touch the knee of the 5th person. This picture shows a straight face.

The fifth person is 93 centimeters tall, written on the side. facing east Stepped right leg out to the left hand of the 4th person. The chest protrudes like a woman's milk, with a faint color on top. as if someone was looking for something which could be an animal.

The sixth person, 79 cm tall, outlined the outline on the side. in a walking position with the right foot stepped out The left foot stands straight. The head has scratches like hair. right arm invisible His left arm stretched out behind the waist of the 7th person.

The seventh person, 90 centimeters tall, outlined the outlines of the sixth person standing with his legs spread to the east. right hand can't see Left hand sticks to the arm of the sixth person. The head part is very depleted or may not have finished writing. So only half can be seen. I can't see which direction the head is heading.

The picture of these 7 people is written in a long line marching in a group manner. heading in the same direction Tell behaviors together in any way (Phayao Khemnak 1996 :141)

There is also a red line drawing linking back and forth to the 1st and the 2nd person. Upon careful consideration, it was found that the lines were written first. Later, later there was a picture of a person overwritten again. Then it's rectangular stripes next to each other. Write in white over the image of the person again. Judging from the figure of the 5th person, white is seen over the head. It shows that this person's wall has been used as a writing site for at least 3 times. On the stone ceiling above the head of the fifth person, there is a line drawing similar to a gecko. The line is about 5 millimeters thick. The inner line of the wheel goes with the outer projection. Height 11 centimeters, width 10 centimeters. It is a single painting. In the middle of the protruding stone ceiling, there is a portrait painted in dark red, beside it, there are lines written in red as well. It is a parallel line image. Farther west from this picture, there are two other people painted in red as well. There is a parallel line drawing written in white in front as well. The first one wrote in a solid shadow. Emphasize the muscles, especially the big calves. The head was missing, leaving only the chin. in a walking position with right elbow raised elbow perpendicular to body Left hand stretched backwards. It is the appearance of a pedestrian swinging his arm. The second part is on the back, drawing an external outline. From the calf down to the feet, paint a solid color. facing the first picture one leg no arms and head as if the writing was finished On the east side of the stone ceiling are triangular-like stripes without vertical bases. The thickness of each line is not the same. That is to say, the thickest part is about 1 centimeter and is getting smaller and smaller. until the end of each line (Phayao Khemnak 1996 :141)

General appearance inside the cave stone shed This person was a well-lit stone shack. is not too dark or too bright, not opaque, well ventilated Worth both the sun and the rain Suitable for temporary accommodation (Phayao Khemnak 1996 :141)

Pitakchai Chatuchai (2010 :58) stated that the color painting at this cave is a picture of a group of people Emphasis on the ergonomic layout which makes it known that a group of people who use a lot of leg strength In addition to focusing on the physiology of the group also shows the gestures of each person in the picture (Sataphon Kwanyuen et al. 1985 :22) and in addition, in some pictures there is also an indication of organs (Phayao Khem Nak and Mon Chan Namthip 1990 :52) and Considering the portraits of people and animals (cow caves) found nearby, It looks very natural and similar to the real thing. It makes me think that the author of the picture may have written for use in some hunting-related rituals or beliefs. because the cave is large May be suitable for use in rituals in the late prehistoric period.

as well as Ajarn Sumit Pitipat (1977:41-43) who stated that the color painting "Human cave and animal cave" may have been written for use in rituals related to hunting or certain beliefs. The cave can be both a place of worship and a dwelling. Because the cave is large can live comfortably

Asst. Prof. Patcharee Sarikabutr (2000) stated that both the cow image and the human image of the cow cave and the cave Try to write as close to nature as possible, especially emphasizing the muscles in the calves and arms of the portrait. and a bulge on the back of the image of a cow The images indicate the relationship within each group to perform certain activities together. Relationships among people, people with cows, people with white line symbols. An image of unequally sized cows may refer to a herd of cows with both males. female and calf These images may refer to hunting scenes. or raising animals Or it could mean traveling together to do some activities or rituals.

The ancient people have brought the cave to be tied to the tale of Usa-Baros. (Maybe because in the past, paintings depicting specific people were found at this cave) as follows Mrs. Usa was saddened.” According to this tale, Ajarn Kham Huang brought it from Pak Khan City. Vientiane Province said, “The two are spellbound by an angel so they do not know each other's names and cities. When she saw her sorrowful Usa, she had not recovered. Then she painted pictures of princes of different cities for Usa to see, until she painted a picture of Baras and she said that Baras was in Bago. Mrs. Usa knows the city of Thao Baros" (Phayao Khemnak and Monjun Namthip 1990 :45)