Archaeologists Excavated a Giant Stone Jar and Found a Grim Surprise

Archaeologists excavated one giant stone jar at Laos’ Plain of Jars and found densely packed bones from at least 37 people.

Beads and other grave goods suggest the jar was repeatedly used for secondary burials over several centuries.

Radiocarbon dating places the funerary activity roughly between 890 and 1160 CE.

The discovery strengthens the case that the mysterious stone jars were part of mortuary rituals at the Xiangkhoang Plateau site.