51 Buddha images unearthed in Xieng​ Khuang​

Another cache of old Buddha images has been unearthed in northern Laos following the exciting discovery of a buried trove of statuettes in Bokeo province last month.

The Buddha images​ that were dug up during UXO clearance operations in Xieng Khuang​ province last week.​ --Photo Tadam Ctls

Now another 51 figurines have been found in Kherng village, Phoukoud district, Xieng Khuang province, when an unexploded ordnance clearance team was digging ground in a rural area on April 2.
Deputy Head of the province’s Information, Culture and​ Tourism​ Department,​ Mr Phetsamone Souliyaseng, told the Vientiane Times on Friday that the Buddha images​ had been placed in the Kherng village office for safekeeping, where they are being closely guarded.
No precise facts about the age and origin of the small statues are known, but authorities believe they could date back several hundred years.
Officials from the Ministry​ of​ Information, Culture​ and​ Tourism​ will go to Xieng Khuang province on April 8-9 to inspect the Buddha images, Mr Phetsamone​ said.
Ancient Buddha images are quite often discovered in unexpected places, with some found in caves, others in forests, and some buried in the ground.
Last month more than 200 Buddha images of unknown age and origin were unearthed on the banks of the Mekong River in Tonpheung district, Bokeo province​, and the search for other items is still continuing.
Experts believe they are remnants of temples and stupas that were part of the town of Souvanna Khomkham which occupied the site about four or five hundred years ago.
Most of the statuettes found to date are made of bronze and all have been placed in Thongthip Phatthanaram temple in Yaitonpheung village, Tonpheung district, where they are being catalogued and kept until archaeologists can ascertain more information about their origins.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update April 8, 2024)