Postcards form a Backpacker

The Plain of Jars

Posted in South East Asia, Laos, Phosavan

The Plain of Jars was the reason for my visit to Phosavan and the only reason most tourists visit the town. The Plain of Jars is a series of large stone jars spread across meadow-like areas around Phosavan. The jars range in size up to the largest on site 1 weighing in at 6 tons. Although the jars are scattered across over 60 known sites only 3 are accessible due to the huge amount of UXO (UneXploded Ordinance) left across the countryside from the Secret War from 1964 to 1973 where the USA dropped over $2 million worth of bombs each day. There are many craters that still litter the sites but the UXO has been cleared in the 3 sites areas to allow tourists to visit and was completed as recently as January 2005.

The jars themselves are all carved from boulders, some have lids but only a few. The reason the jars were carved and scattered is still a mystery. Theories are they were used as sarcophagi, or as wine fermenters or for rice storage and although no evidence exists to support any of these theories. It seems an impressive task to have been able to carve these stone jars and move them about the countryside. Their original purpose is likely to remain a mystery for the near future.

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