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Nakhon
Ratchasima Province is home to the Kingdom's pre-historic settlements
and archaeological sites. Its wealth of cultural treasures is priceless
because it enables us to trace back centuries of civilization and
offer valuable clues about the evolution and history of mankind.
In this respect, Nakhon Ratchasima's Ban Prasat settlement is of
special significance.
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Based
on the evidence gathered from the excavation of the Ban Prasat
site, archaeologists estimate the original settlement to be
between 2,500 - 3,000 years old. The ancient peoples who settled
at this site formed a pre-historic agricultural-based community
of considerable social sophistication. They were an advanced
people who had the know-how to build living quarters and used
tools and techniques to hunt and fish. They also reared domesticated
animals and engaged in weaving, pottery and metalwork. There
is also reason to believe that they were in contact with other
communities with whom they 'traded' in the form of barter or
simple exchanges. The settlement continued to exist through
the Iron Age to the Dvaravati period in art history.
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The excavation
unearthed some 60 human skeletons of adults and children buried
in rows on top of each other at varying depths of between
one to five-metres deep. Personal belongings and utensils
were buried together with the corpses.
The archaeological
digs also revealed an impressive range of fascinating artifacts
such as pottery and earthernware of various shapes and forms
-- some were glazed while others were hand-painted. There
were bangles, rings and ear-rings, bangles made from sea-shells,
marble bangles and glass beads, ancient sickles, metal work,
fired clay used in reeling threads. The archaeological findings
also revealed traces of a variety of everyday activities.
Scorched rings in the ground suggests the use of fire and
charcoal.
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In the central
and coastal areas of the region, the deceased were buried in pits
that were excavated right under the living quarters. Corpses were
tied up at the wrists and ankles, or embalmed, and adorned with
jewelry.
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Recognising that these archaeological sites are among the country's
most important assets in cultural tourism, TAT has pursued an
active role in the preservation of the Ban Prasat site which
has been developed into an open site museum.
The development
of Ban Prasat village into an open site museum, coupled with
the infra-structural enhancements such as improved road access,
the provision of utilities and amenities including an extensive
landscaping initiative, have significantly raised the tourism
readiness and potential of the community. The development
of the open site museum has also led to the creation of additional
jobs and employment opportunities such as in the production
of handicrafts and in the provision of tourism-related services.
With the added diversity to the attractions and activities
offered, the length of visits to the village has also been
extended.
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As a result
of the positive developmental effort jointly undertaken by
TAT, the Fine Arts Department and the local community, Ban
Prasat has become a model tourism village in which the villagers
fully appreciate the role of tourism and are actively involved
in community efforts to preserve the local environment, traditions
and culture. More significantly, the quality of life within
the village community has been enhanced as a result of activities
undertaken in support of tourism development. In recognition
of the above achievement, the Ban Prasat archaeological site
was awarded the PATA Gold Awards for PATA Heritage and Culture
in 1994 and the ASEANTA Awards for Excellence in Tourism in
1996 under the category of "The Best ASEAN Cultural Preservation
Effort".
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Today,
Ban Prasat is a mid-sized village with a picturesque landscape
consisting of rice-fields, vegetable plots and toddy palm. To
the north, the village is nourished by the waters from the Prasat
Stream, one of the tributaries of the Moon River which flows
all year round and provides a permanent source of water for
the Ban Prasat community. |
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