Phanom Surin Boat

Terrain

General Condition

The archaeological site is located behind Wat Wisutthiwarawat. (Wat Klang Klong) The general condition of the area is a lowland formed by the deposition of coastal sediments by the influence of the Holocene tide. or in the past less than 1,000 years, in the past it was an agricultural area with a license fishing, raising shrimp The soil was dug into several large wells throughout the area. But at present, the land holders, Mr. Surin and Mrs. Phanom Sri-Ngamdee, have transferred the ownership of the archaeological site to the Fine Arts Department.

The archaeological site is located away from Khlong Samae Dam Tai. It is about 250 meters west, 12.5 kilometers east of the Tha Chin River, 19.5 kilometers west of the Chao Phraya River, and 7 kilometers north of the Gulf of Thailand coastline.

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Tha Chin River, Gulf of Thailand, Chao Phraya River

Geological conditions

It is a lowland formed by the deposition of coastal sediments by the influence of the Holocene tide. or in the last 1,000 years or less.

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Archaeological age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

Archaeological site of Wat Wisut Warawas (Wat Klang Khlong) found important archaeological evidence is a large wooden boat, about 1,300-1,200 years ago, as well as various antiquities inside the boat. It is the oldest boat ever seen in Thailand. It is also the first time to discover a Torpedo Jar in Thailand.

The archaeological excavations of the Fine Arts Office 1 Ratchaburi and the Underwater Archeology Group, the Fine Arts Department in 2013-2014 have found important evidence as follows (The Fine Arts Office 1 Ratchaburi and the Underwater Archeology Group, the Fine Arts Department 2014)

1. Ancient ship

It is a large wooden boat with a length of more than 20 meters, from evidence that it is assumed that the bow faces south. In the hull, a wooden keel was found in the hull, 17.65 meters in length. The hull used a long plank. Drill the longitudinal holes on both sides and use black string to tie the planks together. Some pieces of wood are drilled in the center of the panels to string the rope to increase strength.

Two masts were found. The first mast was found on the west side of the ship, with a length of 17.37 meters. The head was cut into a square hole. Inside there is a round wooden pulley attached. The base of the pillar is notched into a square bar in the form of a dowel. presumed to be mounted to the mast base, while the second mast was found outside the hull on the east side. The base of the pillar is notched on one side in a square shape. the other side is a semicircle and a long rattan rope attached to the base of the pole From a comparative study, it was assumed that the shipbuilding characteristics It is the same technique used in ancient Arab ships.

2. Earthenware

Inside the ship, many pieces of pottery were found. The whole container is produced from the furnace source in China. Clay pottery made from domestic stoves. and some forms of clay pots that have not yet been identified.

2.1 Porcelain-style pots

a round container The shoulder area of ​​the container is made into a ridge. The body to the bottom of the container is decorated with striped and scratched rope patterns. Many of the leaves had burn marks and soot on the bottom of the container. The ridged earthenware found in almost every archaeological site in the Dvaravati culture. It is assumed that the ridged earthenware found inside this vessel was the vessel used for cooking inside the vessel.

2.2 Tough earthenware

Found many forms as follows:

2.1.1 large pottery with pointed buttons on the bottom It is a thick vessel, elongated shape, bloated body, round bottom with long pointed buttons, narrow rounded edges, some leaves under the edge of the mouth come down with perforations. Approximate dimensions of the pottery Diameter 45-50 cm. Height 70-80 cm. Container thickness 1-1.5 cm. Fine soil, smooth surface. Some container parts. Inside there is a black rubber attached. It has a pungent smell like oil. It was also found that the inside of some containers had dark brown stains attached. similar to latex This may be something used to coat the inner container. Or is it something that used to be packed in a container like this? Importantly, the container parts were found with letters on the outer surface. Preliminary in the analysis and interpretation process

​From a comparative study, the containers were found to be similar to Amporae containers, which are containers designed for marine transportation. Often found in sinking ships in foreign countries. especially in India, Middle East and Europe.

2.2.2 black glazed earthenware white meat container Clear black coating on both sides, no complete parts found. The shape of the container resembles a jar. There are 2 large handles. The edge of the mouth is erect. The neck is high. The shoulder area of ​​the vessel is decorated with convex ridges and pressed the ridge into a continuous round point. The bottom of the container is round. The bottom of the water is coated with thick foam. Found 2 leaves, preliminarily, the source of production has not yet been identified.

​In addition, an earthenware container was found that was similar in texture to the tough type. thin container Both gray and brown flesh were found. Many were found. Initially, the source is unknown.

2.3 Chinese wares

2.3.1 Green coating type Found in both small and large jars. Green-coated, short neck, smooth bottom, 4-6 horizontally attached ears, unglazed mouth and bottom. There is one mouth piece with Chinese characters 大 engraved on it. Initially assumed to be derived from the word 大吉 (daji), which means good luck. This type of vessel was found to be made from Guanzhong Dao Group, Guangdong Province. It dates back to the end of the Tang Dynasty. Around the middle to the end of the 14th Buddhist century

2.3.2 Uncoated type Found a jar of earthenware. The outer and inner surface of the vessel is dark brown, similar to coating. There are 6 ears, alternating both vertically and horizontally. The key was found a black rope strung on the ear of the container. This type of vessel was made from the Fengkai Tao group in Guangdong Province, dating back to the late Tang Dynasty. Around the middle to the end of the 14th Buddhist century

3. Stone antiques

large round stone pedestal In the middle is a raised button. Functions not yet known It is assumed that it may be a tool used to grind grain or flour. Also found a circular stone slab. Drill a hole in the center, broken into 2 pieces and crushed stone 2 pieces.

4. Organic matter

Found mutated organic matter such as rice grains, betel nuts, pitcher seeds, long sticks, and perforated coconut shells. Wicker parts, fishbones, animal horns, rattan strands woven into long ropes, black ropes, as well as many wooden antiques such as small-large logs, etc.

Basic Assumption

From the excavation and study of this ancient ship by the Fine Arts Department by the Fine Arts Office 1, Ratchaburi and the Underwater Archeology Group Initially, the hull was found from the bow, the bow, the wooden keel of a large ship. And two masts show that this ancient ship is a large ship. From the nature of the shipbuilding that uses ropes to hold the plates, not the boat boards together. This is a shipbuilding technique similar to those found in ancient Arab ships. Containers and containers for use were found inside the ship. Some types of containers have never been found in Thai archaeological sites. Two types of ancient characters were also found on two earthenware vessels, indicating that the ship was of great importance in the study of ancient sea routes in the region.

From the study of the ship's model and the ancient artifacts found It is assumed that this ancient ship is probably between the 14th-15th Buddhist centuries, contemporary with Dvaravati. For the area where this boat was found may be the mouth of the ancient Tha Chin River. The nearest ancient city is the ancient city of Nakhon Pathom. (1st Office of Fine Arts, Ratchaburi and Underwater Archeology Group, Fine Arts Department 2014)