Plain of Jars

Covering a huge area in the centre of Xieng Khuang province, the Plain of Jars refers to the entire area the jars are found, within which there are 160 sites. Each site holds clusters of large stone containers, carved in one piece from limestone. In total there are around 4,000 jars. It was unclear until recently what their purpose was, but it is now believed that they were funerary urns. Bodily remains have been found under the jars, while the vessels themselves are believed to have contained treasure, which has long since been stolen. The jars come in a number of different shapes and sizes, all in different positions - some tipped over as the looters have tried to dislodge them for the bounty within.