Ban Chiang

After leaving the lake, we ate our breakfast in the car on the way to our next stop, the Ban Chiang Museum. We had picked up some cheesy onion rolls and pomelo the night before. They tasted good; we were hungry after our boat ride!

From the Unesco World Heritage website:

Ban Chiang Archaeological Site

Ban Chiang is considered the most important prehistoric settlement so far discovered in South-East Asia. It marks an important stage in human cultural, social and technological evolution. The site presents the earliest evidence of farming in the region and of the manufacture and use of metals.

The museum was our first stop. It displayed comprehensive coverage of everything from prehistoric culture to the visit of the Thai king and queen in 1972. The grounds were beautiful.

Interesting tree just outside museum entrance

Lots of pottery on display

Closeup of typical pot

Infant burial casket on right

Along the road, we saw men building these frameworks. Ong told us they were preparing for a festival and these would be stalls along the road.

After the museum, we stopped at the site of the archaelogical dig, where many remains were found. The site was very well preserved and organized. 

Our last stop related to the Ban Chiang site was at the home of the man who owned the property where the remains were found, first in the late 1950s. He hosted the king and queen during their 1972 visit and later donated his home. It is in the traditional Tai Phuan style. It is well preserved. We walked the grounds, but didn’t go into the house.