Ancient Buddha Statues Found in Bokeo

via The Laotian Times, 20 March 2024: A collection of ancient Buddha statues, believed to be from a 14th to 16th-century temple, were recently discovered along the Mekong River in Bokeo Province, sparking a historical debate. The excavation led to the retrieval of 38 statues, with ongoing research to uncover more about their origins. The find has stirred excitement and skepticism, with some questioning the statues’ age due to their well-preserved appearance. Despite this, Lao authorities welcome Thai citizens to pay homage, emphasizing the shared cultural heritage.

In recent days, several ancient Buddha statues were retrieved from the Mekong River’s shore in Tonpheung district of Bokeo province. Believed by some to be remnants of a 14th to 16th century temple, the true historical context of these artifacts remains shrouded in mystery, awaiting further investigation.

Shortly after retrieval, the artifacts were transported to Thongthip Phatthanaram temple in Yaitonpheung village for safekeeping.

In the meantime, research on the site continued. On 15-19 March, provincial authorities, in collaboration with experts from the Heritage Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, conducted further search for buried artifacts near Done Phuengkham island.

Source: Ancient Buddha Images Unearthed in Bokeo Province Spark Historical Debate – Laotian Times

See also:

• Buddha statues of unknown age and origin unearthed in northern Laos | Xinhua/The Star, 23 Mar 2024