A Buried Jar Site and its Destruction: Tham An Mah cave, Luang Prabang province, Lao PDR

The Middle Mekong Archaeological Project conducted excavations at Tham An Mah cave, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, as part of a larger study exploring the prehistoric archaeology of the region. Buried under surface layers were pits containing ceramic jars associated with human remains, in a complex sequence of deposits. Rare for cave sites here, the preservation of the site was excellent. The finds included a worked stone disc, overlying a crushed pot and human remains, and a constellation of types of remains resembling others from iron age sites in the region, including the Plain of Jars. Soon after we completed our field season in 2010, the National Museum learned that the site had been disturbed. In 2013 we returned to assess the impact of this and devise a plan for rescue archaeology at the site. This paper discusses the preliminary findings from Tham An Mah and its potential regional significance.