Ancient Jar Reveals Mass Burial Secrets | Science News

Archaeologists in northern Laos have unearthed a colossal stone jar holding the bones of at least 37 people, dating back 1,000 years—offering the first concrete evidence that the enigmatic Plain of Jars served as a vast ancient cemetery. Once thought to be for ritual wine or storage, these giant vessels now appear to have functioned as communal crypts for secondary burials, where bones were collected after decomposition. This discovery reshapes our understanding of the region’s mortuary practices, while ongoing efforts to clear unexploded ordnance open new doors for uncovering who built these sites and why. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/a400e045a1a2fa55