city ​​of opera

Terrain

General condition

Muang Ngew or Muang Ngew archaeological site It is an ancient city in the history of which appears a moat - a ditch. The clearest will be on the north and west sides. The outer ditch and the inner ditch were no longer in the condition of an embankment. Most of the sema leaves are found within the city. On the north side, there are 16 large sandstone leaves in the same location.

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Lam Seok, Lam Sebai

Geological conditions

Geomorphology is a sedimentary rock in the Phu Thok rock category. Korat Stone Group As for the agronomic part, it is soil deposition from sediment.

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Archaeological age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

Muang Ngew is an ancient community in the Lam Sebok River Basin. Community settlements may begin in the early stages. in the prehistoric period at the end of the agricultural society There is a metal smelting for their own use within the community. As traces of smelting furnaces were found along the south-west side of the ditch, and when entering the Dvaravati cultural history society around the 11th-16th Buddhist century, an earthen ditch was dug around in a circular shape with a diameter of about 370 meters and a height. About 2 meters, the general condition is a rather round mound. Currently being plowed into agricultural areas. From the survey found evidence of antiquities. Details are as follows (The Fine Arts Department 1990 :376)

1. Most of the low-temperature, coarse-grained earthenware fragments are smooth, with some dampening, paint and a few scratches.

2. A group of pink sandstone parapets, slender peaks, carved in relief lines in the middle of the sheet as decorative patterns.

3. Bronze jewelry, including rings, bracelets and slag, formed by the melting process.

​Bai Sema found around this ancient city of Ngew. At present, there are 4 groups of parapet leaves scattered on the hill, both made of laterite and sandstone. Made of laterite is a small stone slab. Carved vertical ridges in the center of the leaves. Some of the sema leaves were piled up in the middle of the mound. Due to its unclear shape and appearance

The large sandstone parapets were buried underground. As for the base, there is a horizontal patch pattern under the lotus petals overlapping. The parapet is carved into a convex line in the middle of the sheet. Some lotus base leaves are inverted lotuses - facing lotuses with pollen. Another important sema leaf found One side in the middle of the parapet is carved into the shape of a cauldron supporting the banana leaves that taper up to the top. The same appearance of the cauldron was found on the parapet found elsewhere. which would be a cauldron of abundance Also known as the Restoration Gata pot, the other side of this parapet is engraved in the shape of a flower in a circle. Which may be assumed to be a Dharmachak? Currently, this sema leaf is on display at the Ubon Ratchathani National Museum (Chinnawut Vilyalai et al. 2009 :168).

From the small amount of archaeological evidence found, this archaeological site is probably not very large. and it would be a religious place rather than a place of residence by considering from the sandstone leaf sema group From the form of the parapet, it is believed that this group Probably believed in Buddhism influenced by Dvaravati culture during the 12th - 16th Buddhist centuries.

Dvaravati culture Around the end of the 12th-15th Buddhist century, the influence of Dvaravati culture which is based on Buddhism India has flourished in the central region of Thailand. has influenced into the region through Nakhon Ratchasima Then spread both in the Mun River Basin and the Lower Chi River Basin. Evidences found include Buddha images and ancient sites that are mounds with sema leaves embroidered in groups. Large sema leaves found in archaeological sites show the combination of religious beliefs, distribution of Dvaravati cultural archaeological sites in the province. Ubon Ratchathani

The plains between Lam Sebok and Lam Se Bai are evident in many Dvaravati cultures such as
1. Old Temple Na Mo Ma Subdistrict, Mueang District, Amnat Charoen Province found a sandstone Buddha image. and sandstone sema leaves Carved patterns on the edge of the base and the core, aged 13-14 century.
2. Ban Puey Hua Dong Puey King Subdistrict, Lue Amnat District, Amnat Charoen Province, is a large mound. There is a group of sema leaves embroidered on the mound of sandstone leaves at Wat Phothisila. large lanceolate intricately carved patterns It consists of lotus petals pattern, leaf line, cauldron line and the top of the stupa aged around the 13th Buddhist century at the abandoned Pa Rae Rai Temple. There is a group of sema leaves, both lanceolate. Rectangular shape with an octagonal shape
3. Phon Muang Kud Suay Village, Kut Suay Subdistrict, Hua Taphan District, Amnat Charoen Province, a large mound of land
4. Muang Ngew Ban Chad, Deng Yai Subdistrict, Hua Taphan District, Amnat Charoen Province, is a round mound of soil. There is a ditch around the earth.

The influence of Dvaravati culture in the area of ​​Ubon Ratchathani Province parts of Yasothon and Amnat Charoen It would have ended in the late 15th Buddhist century or early 16th Buddhist century with the decay of Dvaravati culture in central Thailand.

Relevant local legend :From the story that has been told in succession, it means that Don Pu Ta is the location of the city of Ngew. There was a king to rule with Ayutthaya. Later, the Lao people invaded the army, causing a war, and Muang Ngeu was attacked. Only ruins remain become an abandoned city Not long ago, a monk walked past and stayed overnight. but can't stay Due to the mysterious and mysterious things that disturbed the monks, the monks fled. which the villagers believe to be the souls of warriors or ancestors of Ngew Pok being protected Later, a pham (court) was built. so that the souls of the ancestors have lived in a dwelling called Grandfather who protects the forest when the farming season arrives Farmers come here to perform a hagna ceremony every year. In order to take the auspicious occasion before doing the farming will make rice and fish food plentiful especially after Songkran There will also be merit-making and food for grandparents along with the annual Songkran festival as well.

Later, in 1995, villagers dug a creek near Don Pu Ta. Dig to find ancient jars which contained a large number of bones, understood to be the bones of important people of Ngew city therefore summoned up to Wat Pa Bueng Silaram Adjacent to Don Pu Ta and unearthed a chest of clothes, estimated to be over 100 years old.