penthouse cave

Terrain

General Condition

The archaeological site of Tham Phoeng is located in the area of ​​hills and limestone mountains (Hill and Mountain), located on the north side of Khao Klong Kon. It looks like a cliff with a wide courtyard under the shed and has a waterway running through it. The size of the cliff is about 20 meters wide and about 80 meters long. The present condition has been partially excavated from the activities of the people at present (The Fine Arts Department 2010 :134).

The area under the cliff is flat. There is a slight slope to the north and east. Including slopes down the south to the water flowing under the cliff. Currently, it is the location of Nang Chuen Phongsuwan's house (the Fine Arts Department 2010 :134).

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Songkhla Lake, Khlong Lam Thap, Khlong Lampao, Khlong Khian

Geological conditions

The archaeological site of Tham Phoeng is located in the area of ​​hills and limestone mountains (Hill and Mountain) named "Khao Kon", which is a new crystallized limestone. (Ratchaburi stone) Permian period, aged about 270 million years ago (Committee 2002 :3)

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Scientific age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

From the study of the Fine Arts Office No. 13, Songkhla, Fine Arts Department (Department of Fine Arts 1973; 2012; Fine Arts Office No. 13 Songkhla 2010) found archaeological evidence showing the use of space by people in prehistoric and historical periods.

Prehistoric Evidence of the use of the area as a funeral and temporary accommodation was found. The important evidence is

Human Graves 1 prehistoric pit. Inside the tomb consists of One human skeleton is a male human skeleton, aged about 30 years old, showing recessed gum disease and bone disease in the extremities. (The Fine Arts Bureau No. 13, Songkhla 2010:137, 174) The skeleton was buried in a stretched supine position. Head facing northwest, both hands resting on hips. Antiques buried with corpses or consecrated objects include stone tools and fragments of terracotta containers. (The Fine Arts Bureau No. 13 Songkhla 2010) is a clay pottery. (Earthenware) rough texture, found the mouth and body, black outer skin. The outer surface decoration has both embossed rope and wicker-like patterns. including smoked and polished in some pieces, container thickness 0.2-1.2 cm. resulting in information that

1. Raw materials used to produce a container of the archaeological site of Tham Poeng There is a source object. Granite igneous rock which is related to the geological area of ​​the south They are mostly sedimentary rocks, alternating with other sedimentary rocks.

2. The sources of soil used to produce pottery come from 2 areas:(1) The raw material source of the soil should be the topsoil. (Due to the presence of organic matter scattered in the soil) of the area near the mountain or soil origin. (because many mineral fragments are found) (2) the raw material soil deposits have been deposited in the area with stagnant water. without soil being washed or moved elsewhere from the minerals found The mica is decomposing into the soil and iron oxide clumps form a large mound. pointed out the sedimentation deposition as well This soil source is the soil at the end of the hill, far from the direction of the prevailing from the source. This makes the soil coarse.

3. From the results of the analysis of soil texture, it can be interpreted as the knowledge of the pottery potter who has been known to select and bring the clay used to produce pottery of this archaeological site from at least 2 different areas without Use the soil around the residential cliff sheds

4. The forming of the container can be either freely raised by hand and by a slow dial.

5. The firing temperature of the vessel does not exceed 400-550 ° C (because quartz monolith with a melting point of 573 ° C, including other minerals mixed in the soil, such as feldspar, mica, iron oxide, does not melt or change the structure) assumed. It's an outdoor burning.

Other evidence In the prehistoric period, such as bonfire traces, shells (pagoda clams, mussels and clams), animal bones, fire-burned animal bones. stone cracker tool Shell Bangle

History Found evidence of the use of the area in the Rattanakosin period. which may be used as a religious place From the register of antiques throughout the kingdom said The area of ​​the cave enshrines 16 stucco Buddha images, the size of the lap ranges from one cubit to creeping down (Department of Fine Arts 1973:538), but the present condition has 5 stucco Buddha images enshrined at Tham Phoeng, and 2 replica chedi are placed flanking the Buddha image. the picture is on both sides Buddhist characteristics of the Buddha image in the genus of local craftsmen oval slender face low glance The Buddha image is a thorn (Department of Fine Arts 2012 :442)