Ob Luang

Terrain

General Condition

The area is generally mountainous. There are many steep cliffs and rocks. The area where archaeological evidence was found is on the high terrace of the mountain on the north side of the Mae Chaem River, known as "Doi Pha Chang". The area where the Chaem River runs through narrow and steep cliffs is called "Ob". Luang” (The Great Gorge)

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Mae Chaem River

Geological conditions

The main constituent rocks of this area are:Granite and granite alternating basalt and migmatite granite family in all of the Plutonic rocks Granite Grano-diorite with Basalt and Migmatite of the Cretaceous to Triassic. local But in some cliff sheds there is a layer of deposition more than 7-8 meters thick. The topsoil generally does not cover the soil with small plants. and is characterized by being washed away by severe rainfall Along the ravines between the hills, there are often very narrow waterways. The vegetation consists of perennials of the dry red forest (Dipterocarp type) and the riverside bamboo forest.

There are many large rocky islands in Mae Chaem. On many shore beaches there are cobbles, pebbles of quartz-jasper, quartz-jasper. (Quartz-Jasper) and other rocks are dense.

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Archaeological age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

Ob Luang Archaeological Site is the first archaeological site in northern Thailand to find evidence of bronze and metallurgy. Ob Luang area, found archaeological evidence in 3 areas together (Sayan Praichanchit et al. 1984; 1988) namely, Pha Chang area, a wide courtyard area to the east of Ob Luang. and grave number 1

1.Pha Chang area It is about 300-400 meters from Ob Luang to the northeast. The area is a cliff about 15 meters high. The wall of the cliff is tilted at an angle of about 75 degrees to the ground, about 10 meters long, orienting along the north-south line. Thailand Archaeological Project (Northern Region) staff surveyed and found archaeological evidence around the cliffs and the slopes of the hills. Evidence found includes fragments of earthenware pottery. There is a high content of sand in the container. The main motifs found are corded-marked and incised potsherds, pedestaled bowls, flaked cobble tools, scraper. and sumatralith, stone flakes and terrazzo tools. At the cliffs, especially around Pha Chang, fragments of human bones were found. and fragments of dark brown polished earthenware on the soil surface. In addition, dark red and white paintings were also found. Many paintings of animals and people (Sayan Praichanchit and Prateep Pengtako 1984; Sayan Praichanjit and colleagues 1988)

The color paintings at Pha Chang's shelter have two types of paintings, which are line drawings and solid color paintings. The writing is painted or written in very thick colors. The colors used are red and white. The red paintings depict people and animals. but very oblivious and a white painting depicting an elephant which from the excavation discovered hematite lumps with traces of rain in the lower deposition layer Therefore, it may be that the people who come to live in the early stages He was the one who painted these paintings. The age of about 8,500-7,500 years ago (Sayan Praichanchit 1986:63; Supaporn Nakthon and Chinnawut Wilyalai 2007 :53)

Image sizes range from small to large. Can be divided into 2 groups according to the location on the wall of the cliff (Sayan Praichanchit and Prateep Pengtako 1984) namely

Group color painting 1 on the south side of the wall The picture is written as a picture of a person standing in front, legs spread apart, hair similar to a bundle on two sides. The writing style is a line drawing showing the outer outline. Next to the image of a person to the north is a picture similar to a flower, written in line drawings as well. Around the picture there are still traces of paint that are still affixed to spots. which may be a painting that cracks off This group of pictures is positioned at a height of 1.6-2.7 meters from the floor of the cliff.

Group color painting 2 It is about 2 meters north of the first group of paintings, consisting of animals. which is 1 small elephant and 1 big one, written in line drawings and bird-like images which is drawn by coloring solid colors There are scattered colored dots around this image. There must have been other pictures written, but the colors disappeared. This group of pictures is positioned at a height of 1.3-2.6 meters from the floor of the cliff.

From the survey and excavation at the elephant cliff shelter, it was found that the lower deposition layer contained Hoabinhian crackers, animal bones, both aquatic and wild animals such as barking deer, wild cattle, etc. It was also found that some animal bones There are traces of cuts and burns. The excavators assumed that this level of deposition was probably a group of people who survived hunting and foraging. During the early Holocene or about 8,500-7,500 years ago (Sayan Praichanchit 1986; Supaporn Nakthon and Chinnawut Wilyalai 2007), but there are some medium-sized cobblestone crackers that may be 28,000 years old (Sayan Praichanchit et al. 1986:57; Usanee Thongchai 2007 :7)

2.A wide courtyard area east of Ob Luang And about 150 meters from the shack to the southeast of Pha Chang found fragments of pottery. 1 bronze fragment and 1 perforated clam. Investigators speculate that the area may have been used as a prehistoric dwelling or temporary camp.

3. Grave area number 1 on a courtyard high above Ob Luang The area was surrounded by large rocks. In the middle of the courtyard stood a small rock. From the survey found a stone cracker tool. (mainly made of quartzite), rock core and stone shards (Made from quartzite, chert, jasper, quartz, sandstone) Shoulderless polished stone ax (made of slate and volcanic ash) Bronze parts Perforated snails (sea shells) were also found in large quantities of earthenware fragments scattered on the soil surface. especially around the rocks, found debris in the middle of the area, found the fragments of pottery, denser than other areas The surveyor then tried to scrape the soil surface beside the rocks where the dense clay pots were found. The pottery was found almost full and the fragments found on the soil surface were able to be joined together. The survey team therefore chose this area to excavate.

Excavations have uncovered prehistoric human graves at 40 centimeters from the current surface, or 55-65 centimeters from the original soil surface. The size of the tomb is 2 meters long, 75-85 centimeters wide. Inside the tomb is a human skeleton (skeleton number 1) and objects dedicated to the deceased (Sayan Praichanchit et al. 1988).

Skeleton number 1 very fragile The bones found were only two forearms, two thigh bones, two left fingers and 32 teeth. The foot bones were disrupted in later times, both arms. The age of the skeleton owner at death was in his late teens. late (adolescent) to young adult, approximate age up to 30 years (dental age study)

The burial style burial of the deceased Dig a hole approximately 2 meters long, 75-85 centimeters wide, 55-65 centimeters deep from the soil surface, placed the body of the deceased at the bottom of the hole in a stretched supine position, with both arms placed close to the body. turn head west Neck ornaments may be worn. Because 62 shell beads and 1 carnelian bead were found in the neck position. On the right arm, he wears 5 bronze bracelets, 1 shell bracelet, 9 bronze bracelets on the left, 1 shell bracelet. Pottery vessels are buried with the body of the deceased. It is placed below the knees down to the toes. In addition, two rounded bronze strips were found between the two femur bones, which may represent beliefs or traditions of deliberately destroying the object (Killing Cutt.) before it was inserted into the grave. Under the bronze bar found 2 lumps of clay.

Jewelry found with skeleton No. 1 are:

Shell beads Flat round shape, made from sea shells, found 62 tablets used as neck ornaments of the deceased.

Carnelian beads Orange, cylindrical, found 1 tablet, used as an ornament on the neck of the deceased.

shell bracelet Made from mussels It was found that it was worn on 1 left arm and 1 ring on the right arm. The band on the right arm had holes drilled at both ends, assuming that there were ropes or other materials tied or tied together. Evidence of jewelry made from sea shells. pointed to the connection with distant coastal communities; Either directly or indirectly

Bronze Bracelet Found worn on the left arm of the deceased 9 rings and 5 rings on the right arm, all 14 rings are divided into 2 main characteristics:

Type 1 – Narrow and thin bracelet The cut side is oval, semi-rectangular with rounded corners, found at left arm 2 circles, right arm 4 circles.

Type 2 – The bracelet body is wider and thicker than Type 1, the side is cut into a long slender rectangular shape, found on the left arm 7 circles, 1 ring on the right arm.

Bronze bar Looks like a rounded bronze strip similar to the number 1, was accidentally broken and found 2 pieces placed between the thigh bone on both sides.

J.R. Bourhis, Research Fellow at the Science Center anthropology laboratory Rennes University France The composition of 5 samples of bronze bracelets from Ob Luang archaeological site was analyzed by electrolysis and spectrography methods. It was found that the bronze bracelets contained tin in different proportions ranging from 5-13%. The proportion of tin and other impurities in the bronze was similar to the bronze found in archaeological sites in the Northeastern and Central Region (Sayan Praichan). Jit et al. 1988 :51-52; 60)

terracotta container Found lying below the knees down to the feet of the deceased. Most are broken parts. The researchers' study found that there were at least 14 containers, including pedestal-shaped, round-bottomed, and ribbed and high-necked pots. Most of the containers are decorated in pairs of parallel diagonal stripes. resulting in a rhombus grid The bottom of the container is often made with a striped rope pattern. It is also decorated with diagonal parallel lines and slashed rope patterns. Parallel scribbles alternating alternating stripes of 4 to 5 lines each, horizontally above the vertical, in a wavy or chevrons shape. small square pattern This group of ornaments is often found on the sides of pan-like vessels, on the neck and shoulders of round-bottomed and ridged pots.

Determination of the age of tomb No. 1 from the appearance of the pottery with traces of the use of a slow dial in forming. especially the base of the container like a pan which is a distinctive feature of Bronze Age pottery It may have been in the period 1,500-500 BC (3,500-2,500 years ago) (Sayan Praichanchit et al. 1988:60) compared to the age of the Bronze Age in central and northeastern Thailand.