10,000-year-old caves discovered

10 December 2006 (The Nation) – A series of caves in North Thailand prove to yield significant archaeological material. The location of the caves remain undisclosed, but are slated for research and eco-tourism in the future.

10,000-year-old caves discovered

Exploration uncovers 176 caves, which can provide answers about life in the North

Scientists have recently made significant cave discoveries in the Pang Mapha district of Mae Hong Son.

They are excited about the geological, ecological and archaeological importance of the finds.

A few of the caves will be opened to tourists but most will be preserved for research.

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Silpakorn University archaeologist Dr Rasmi Shookongdej said finds from the caves and their surrounding areas were important. After three years the team still has much to study.

“The traces we found tell us how people in the area used caves in their age, which is more than 10,000 years ago. We found burial sites, skeletons and stone and iron tools,” Rasmi said.

The 176 caves have been divided into three categories – tourists can visit 15, 112 will be saved for research and 49 have yet to be classified.

The 15 tourist caves have been divided again – seven are for adventure tourists, four for general tourism and another four have religious significance.

Of those set aside for research, dozens could be opened to visitors later, Kasem added. But, priority was study.