Geologists Make Exciting Discovery of Buried Ancient City in Thailand
A geology professor has made a groundbreaking find in Thailand, using aerial photos from the 1950s to uncover evidence of a hidden ancient city underneath Nakhon Ratchasima. By examining the landscape from above, researchers identified a linear embankment located near a canal. The configuration of the embankment, forming a nearly square shape with the canal, indicates the presence of an ancient civilization.
Nakhon Ratchasima, already rich in historical significance, is believed to have been established during the reign of King Narai the Great of the Ayutthaya Kingdom between 1656 and 1688 A.D. However, recent research by experts at Chulalongkorn University suggests that an even older city may lie buried beneath this venerable settlement. Led by Santi Pailoplee, the research team uncovered what they believe to be a significantly larger ancient city hidden beneath Nakhon Ratchasima.
Analyzing aerial images taken decades ago, the team focused on the Old Takhong Canal, now a densely populated area. They identified an ancient earthen embankment extending in a straight line to the north, west, and east of the canal, serving as a boundary for a pre-existing community north of the established city. The team linked this discovery to unusual behaviors of nearby streams, indicating a sophisticated system of water management by the ancient residents.
While parts of the embankments now overlap with the city’s moat, it is theorized that one of these embankments evolved into what is now Chompai Road, a central thoroughfare within Nakhon Ratchasima. This road may have initially marked the southern boundary of the ancient community before the city’s foundation. Measurements of the ancient city’s dimensions revealed a square shape, reflecting a characteristic feature of ancient Khmer settlements.
Pailoplee and his team assert that the ancient city, measuring 1.2 miles wide by one mile long, was likely a thriving community and surpassed the size of the known Nakhon Ratchasima. Further exploration through archaeological surveys and excavations is planned to validate these remarkable findings.
