Bokeo: Stupa aged 500-600 in Mekong River emerges

(KPL) A big stupa dating back to the era of Souvannakhomkham ancient town some 500-600 years ago, has come into view in the middle of the Mekong River, Tonpheung district, Bokeo province, following the unprecedentedly low level of the water level.

Located on an island opposite Done Savanh village, the stupa is assumed to be part of a Buddhist monastery because traces of an ordination hall were also found nearby. The discoveries also include 26 old Buddha images.

Among the 26 Buddha images include nine made of copper, 16 small images of Bho leave-like structure, and a lion Buddha image. A few Buddha images are still in a good state.

Mr Khanthong Keopaseuth, a specialist of the Tonpheung Information and Culture office, said last week that the big stupa was first visible in the middle of the Mekong River last November after the river started to recede. Later, the authorities of Tonpheung district in cooperation with the Dork Ngioukham company pulled the three-metre tall stupa up by using an excavator.

Now all the Buddha images have been kept in a safe place at the Vat Done Savanh temple.

The discoveries prove the existence of the cradle of civilisation of the ancient Souvannakhomkham township in the area of Tonpheung district. So far artefacts have been found widely in the district.

According to the archaeological research, the Souvannakhomkham ancient town is estimated to date back to 500-600 years ago.