4. SAYAN PRISHANCHIT, ANAT BAMRUNGWONG, WISET PEDPRADAB, BURANEE BURANASIRI, Archaeology Research Section, Fine Arts Department, 8111 Sri Ayutthaya Road, Samsen, Theves, Bangkok 10300, Thailand.

The Pak Mun Rescue Archaeological Project.
Excerpt from The Pak Mun Archaeology
(Fine Arts Department) 1992: 24-27.

"The Pak Mun damsite is located on the lower Mun river just 6 km. upstream of its confluence with Mekong river. The site is situated in Amphoe Khong Chiam, Ubonratchathani province. Mun river is the most important river in northeastern Thailand. Formed mainly by the Korat Plateau, the Mun river flows eastwards and collects water from many tributaries in the southern part of the northeast region.

"The first archaeological survey of the project area was conducted in 1982 by the Team Consulting Engineer Co., Ltd. The result is the discovery of 101 archaeological activities which are grouped into 3 categories, prehistoric sites, historic sites, and early settlements.

"The prehistoric evidence was in the form of stone tools and rock art of early agricultural societies. A polished stone adze was found at Kua Mai Kaen village, Bung Vai subdistrict, Varinshamrab district and a shoulder adze were found at Kut Chompu village in the same subdistrict. Both adzes were dated to 3,500 years B.I. A 200 metre long gallery full of reddish or brownish monochrome two dimensional paintings was located in Pha Tam shelter along the dank of Mae Khong river at Moo Sam village, Tambol Ban Kum, Amphoe Kyong Cheam, Ubon Ratchathani province. Paintings depicted human forms, animals such as elephants, large fish, and wild dogs, rice fields, fishing equipments as well as abstract geometric forms. Most of the historic sites in the project area are Buddhist temples. Some are deserted and some are still in use. There are remains of the ancient Khmer culture such as monuments, and domestic artifacts found at Wat Sa Keo, Sa Pue Nua village, Sa Pue Tai school, Amphoe Pibun Mangsahan, Phra Cave, Kan Tevada, Khong Cheam, Wat Pa Piganesa, Pak Nam village and Amphoe Muang, Ubon Ratchathani. A wide distribution of such evidence indicates the penetration of Khmer culture during the Pre-Angkorian period and Early-Angkorian period (7th -10th A.D.)

"Early setttlement patterns in the project area suggest an open site type and an enclosed site type, Sa Pue Nua village on the north bank of Mun river opposite Wat Sa Keo is an example of an open air site. The village is scattered with pot sherds and brick fragments. East of the village is large mound which covers the foundation of a sandstone building locally known as "Non Pu Chao" or Chao Pu Shrine. Another site is located a the playground of Sa Pue Tai school, Moo Hok, Tambol Pho Si, Amphoe Pibun Mangsahan on the river bank 2-3 km. east of the previous site. The site is located on a large mound called "Don Khum Kam". The site was looted several times and destroyed, however, the remains of the architectural style and the distribution of artifacts indicate that this is an important habitation site of Pre-Angkor period.

"An enclosed site was found at Don Ku Klang, near Wat Pa Piganes, Pak Nam village, Tambol Kudlad, Amphoe Muang, Ubon Ratchathani province. The settlement is of rectangular shape and is enclosed by a moat and mound on the north bank of the Mun river. A brick monument which is situated outside the east moat is badly disturbed, however, it can be investigated. A sandstone figure of Ganesa was discovered in this area, and it was moved to Wat Supatanaram for safeguarding purposes. The style of this figure suggests the date of the site is the 13th century A.D.