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Two 2,000-year-old gold rings found at Thailand excavation site
Officials discovered two gold rings during an excavation at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site in western Thailand. One ring bears an inscription in ancient Brahmi script.
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Two gold rings estimated to be about 2,000 years old were recovered last week during an excavation at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site in Phetchaburi province, officials said. The rings were found with human skeletal remains. One ring, recovered on Thursday, carries an inscription identified by experts as Brahmi script reading “pusarakhitasa,” which translates to “the one protected by Pushya,” a zodiac sign in Indian astronomy, the Fine Arts Department stated.
The second ring is plain gold with no markings. Experts said the items suggest the buried individual may have belonged to the merchant class in ancient Indian society.
Site background The Don Yai Thong site, located about 130 kilometers southwest of Bangkok, was first identified earlier this year after local residents uncovered bronze drum fragments in a rice field. Since February, archaeologists have unearthed eight human skeletons along with bronze and gold jewelry, pottery, and other objects pointing to ceremonial burials of higher-status individuals.
The Fine Arts Department said the excavation is scheduled to finish within the next month, after which the artifacts are planned to be displayed to the public.
