T36048
| Native Name | ไม่ทราบชื่อ, មិនស្គាល់ |
|---|---|
| BA# | T36048 |
| Type | Ancient Village |
| Location | |
| Commune | Na Nong Thum |
| District | Kaeng Khro |
| Province | Chaiyaphum |
| Country | Thailand |
| Coordinates | 16.05239, 102.17228 |
| History | |
| Verification | Unconfirmed |
T36048 (ไม่ทราบชื่อ)
Intriguing topographical feature amid an area of extensive farmland northwest of Na Nong Village, in the northeastern corner of the province. The site consists of a square plot, some 300m each side, aligned due east-west and enclosed on the south, north and east sides by a narrow tree-lined embankment and narrow water-filled ditch or canal. The field boundary on the western sides corresponds to the square form but lacks an embankment or canal.
With the exception of a small, rectangular pond - also aligned east-west - abutting the central point of the eastern side, the enclosed fields today house no discernable features, ancient or modern. However, beyond the southern embankment is a string of contiguous, rectangular-shaped ponds each measuring some 25m in width and also aligned east-west. Similar-width ponds are found in outside the northeastern corner and on the east side opposite the aforementioned small reservoir.
Speculatively speaking it is tempting to suggest an ancient double-moated site although a. it would be unlikely to find such a small-sized settlement with such impressive defences while b. it would be equally unlikely that a temple of that size, meriting such a large enclosure, would leave absolutely no traces at all. (1) However, such relatively small but well-defended square sites with minimal religious structures are seen elsewhere - both in Thailand and Cambodia itself - dating to the late 12th and early 13th centuries. In our opinion, these possibly correspond to garrison sites - similar to a castrum, or Roman legion fort, constructed to house 'legions' of Jayavarman VII's army. (Klon Do and Muang Krud are two such 'frontier' examples in Thailand's Kanchanaburi Province while the somewhat larger sites of Neam Rup and Banteay Srah appear to protect the approaches to the capital at Angkor.
This is, we repeat, pure conjecture on our part and while the feature, as seen on satellite images, is undeniably curious we can't find any listings on either CISARK or the TFAD survey that correspond to it. Additionally, the location is somewhat unusual as the site sits close to the end of a horseshoe-shaped valley surrounded by hills on three sides. While not on, or close to, any obvious ancient routes the Chong Sam Mo pass to modern-day Khon Kaen Province is just to the northeast and the area is surrounded by fertile agricultural land. In our opinion, worthy of further investigation.
(1) A tiny mound topped by a few trees situated just south of the centre may be worth a look.
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Nearby Sites
- Ang Kep Nam Pong Sam
- Ban Non Khun Thip
- Baray Ku Suwan Wanaram
- Baray Prasat Non Ban Kao
- Boran Sathan Ba Phra Chao
- Boran Sathan Non Phon
- Muang Kao Khon Sawan
- Nong Thum
- Prang Ku Kaeng Khro
- Prasat Non Ban Kao
- Prasat Phu Khong
- San Ta Pha Khao
- T36048
- Wat Chai Mongkhon
- Wat Khon Sawan
- Wat Ku Suwan Wanaram
- Wat Pasom
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References