1,200 year-old artifacts are now in a safe place

(KPL) Eight century old artifacts were accidentally found at Nongheuathong village, Saybouly district, Savannakhet province late last April. They are now being kept in a safe place.
“These items are priceless and part of our national heritage. The items will be displayed for public viewing soon in Savannakhet province and Vientiane Capital,” said Dr Thongsa Sayavongkhamdy, Head of the Heritage Department, in Vientiane on 10 July.
Speaking at a press conference, he said that these artifacts were found by chance and when Mr Kyokham and his friend were digging a pit for the construction of his house.
Mr Kyokham, 38, found two jars, and many priceless items were found in the jars and around them.
Precious items such as gold, silver and bronze plates and decorated items formed part of the total find.
“One hundred and sixty six items were found at this site. It is made up of just over six kilograms of gold artifacts, 11 kilograms of silver artifacts and the others are bronze items,” said Dr Thongsa.
He said he personally listed the items in the presence of local people. Speaking to journalists he said, “These artifacts are about a 1,200 years old and so they belong to the Sikhottabong era, the first historical era of Laos”.
The historical periods of Laos are in four eras, Sikhottabong, Saifong, Lane Xang and Luang Prabang.
Nongheuathong village is located at the mouth of the Se Bangfay river and opposite That Phanom Stupa in Nakhon Phanom province of northeastern Thailand. This river mouth is also the location of an old palace of a Khmer king during the Khmer era.
According to a GMS satellite image the structure of the ruins of an old palace is visibly displayed on it.
He said that the Department of Heritage received a report in early May this year from the provincial administration of Savannakhet about the discovery and the officials of his department rushed to the site to register the items.
The artifacts are now being kept at the Savannakhet’s Financial Reserve.
“The Government had given 10 million kip to Mr Kyokham’s family, 10 million kip to the local authority and 2 million kip to Mr Kyokham’s friend, for being a good citizen,” said the Head of the Heritage Department.
“According to the law, anyone who finds any kind of treasure and reports to the authority will be given 15 percent of the value of the treasure,” said Dr Thongsa. He added that the artifacts are now being valued by experts.
“Studying archaeological items is a good way to gain a better knowledge of our history which went as far back as the Sikhottabong era, about 1,200 years ago.
We will carry out an excavation work during the next dry season,” said Mr Thongsa.

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