According to the Lao Department of Heritage, all the statues and artifacts discovered during the excavation in Tonpheung District, Bokeo Province, will be sent for examination.
Recently, the Bokeo Provincial Government, along with relevant parties in Laos, has excavated over 100 large and small Buddha statues and numerous Buddha heads in various shapes in Tonpheung District, Bokeo Province.
On his personal Facebook page, Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism Phosy Keomanivong stated that most of the small statues found appear to be in an intact condition.
A large bronze statue discovered in Tonpheung District, Bokeo Province (North Laos). (Photo: TTXVN).
As of March 21, a total of 101 statues and 18 Buddha heads, along with many other parts, have been discovered.
According to the Lao Department of Heritage, all the statues and artifacts found during this excavation will be sent for verification.
The age and origin of the statues have not yet been specifically determined, but most are made of bronze, some are engraved with inscriptions, and they have been taken to Thongthip Phatthanaram Temple in Yaitonpheung Village, Tonpheung District for preservation.
Mr. Souliphane Boualaphane, an official from the Lao Department of Heritage, noted that the area where these Buddha statues were discovered was previously a relatively low-lying area near a river. Over time, the small statues became covered and buried by sand.
Over time, the small statues became covered and buried by sand. (Photo: TTXVN).
The archaeological remains in this area mostly date back to the period of the Lan Xang Kingdom, although the site was originally established over a millennium ago, approximately 1,600 years ago.
The region comprises about 40 different sites with temples, stupas, and statues scattered throughout.
The excavation of the Buddha statues began on March 11, when workers repairing a road near Thongthip Temple discovered the head of a Buddha statue along with several other headless small statues.
The excavation work is still ongoing, conducted by the Lao authorities.
