37 human remains found inside jar at Laos Plain of Jars Site 75. Dr. Nicholas Scopel (James Cook University) is co-director of the Archaeology of Northern Laos project Site 75 is the most northeasterly site in the Plain of Jars landscape, featuring a uniquely large broken jar and seven smaller jars 500 m away along the same ridge Excavation over three seasons recovered remains of 37 people from the large jar, dating to ~1,000 years ago (800-1250 CE)

At Laos's Plain of Jars Site 75, archaeologists recovered remains of 37 people from inside a large stone jar dating to ~1,000 years ago. Dr. Nicholas Scopel thinks the jars served as temporary mortuary receptacles. Excavation is complicated by Vietnam War-era unexploded ordnance still littering the landscape.

Key Facts

  • Dr. Nicholas Scopel (James Cook University) is co-director of the Archaeology of Northern Laos project
  • Site 75 is the most northeasterly site in the Plain of Jars landscape, featuring a uniquely large broken jar and seven smaller jars 500 m away along the same ridge
  • Excavation over three seasons recovered remains of 37 people from the large jar, dating to ~1,000 years ago (800-1250 CE)
  • 19 skulls were found inside, but minimum number of individuals is 37, suggesting bones were removed and possibly relocated elsewhere over time
  • Remains include infants, children, and adults of both sexes
  • Approximately 2,500 stone jars are recorded across the landscape, with some reaching nearly 3 m tall, 2 m wide, and weighing up to 20 tons
  • Jars were first reported by British and French explorers in the late 1800s/early 1900s; French archaeologist Madeleine Colani conducted formative work in the 1930s
  • Researchers hypothesize jars served as temporary mortuary receptacles during a multi-stage funerary process
  • Excavation is complicated by unexploded ordnance (UXOs) from the Vietnam War-era Secret War; Xieng Khouang Province is the most heavily bombed area in the world
  • Ancient DNA analysis is planned to identify the people and find associated habitation sites

Source: Latest #Archaeology Discoveries: May 2026 by Inside Archaeology