1300-Year-Old Gold and Silver Relics Unearthed Beneath Thailand's Oldest Reclining Buddha Statue in 2025

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 In April 2025, Thailand's Fine Arts Department announced a significant archaeological discovery at Wat Dhammachak Semaram (also spelled Wat Thammachak Semaram) in Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand. During routine conservation work, workers uncovered a collection of well-preserved gold, silver, and bronze artifacts buried beneath the base of the temple's colossal sandstone reclining Buddha statue.

This statue, measuring over 13 meters (approximately 43 feet) in length, is widely regarded as Thailand's oldest and longest reclining Buddha sculpture, dating back to the 7th century CE during the height of the Dvaravati period (6th–11th centuries CE).
https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com/2020/07/

The Discovery Process and Initial Findings

The artifacts came to light incidentally during efforts to install an underground drainage system aimed at reducing moisture accumulation around the statue's foundation. On April 21, 2025, at a depth of about 1.3 meters, workers encountered a damaged ceramic vessel containing metal ornaments.
https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com/2020/07/

https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com/2020/07/

Further careful excavation on subsequent days revealed additional items, including repoussé metal sheets embedded in hardened soil and mortar layers behind the Buddha's head. Phanombutr Chantharachoti, Director-General of the Fine Arts Department, highlighted the finds as offering crucial insights into ancient ritual practices and craftsmanship.

Detailed Description of the Key Artifacts

The collection comprises several remarkable items characteristic of Dvaravati artistry:
• A rectangular gold repoussé plaque (approximately 8 x 12.5 cm) depicting a seated Buddha in vitarka mudra (the gesture of teaching or discussion), featuring a large halo, spiral snail-shell curls, elongated earlobes, and a robe draped over one shoulder, seated on a lotus pedestal.

 • A damaged tin-lead alloy repoussé sheet showing a standing Buddha under an arched frame, flanked by attendants—one possibly representing the Hindu deity Brahma (Phra Phrom in Thai tradition).

 • Approximately 33 pieces of gold, silver, and bronze jewelry from a ceramic vessel, including spiral rings, earrings, bracelets, and ornamental beads—interpreted as votive offerings from ancient devotees.

 • Stacked metal sheets in a hardened soil block, likely intentional sacred deposits placed during the statue's construction or consecration.
These artifacts exhibit strong stylistic parallels to known Dvaravati pieces, such as a similar gold plaque from Wat Phra Prathon Chedi in Nakhon Pathom, now displayed at the Bangkok National Museum.
https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com/2020/07/

https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com/2020/07/

The Dvaravati Period: Historical Context and Buddhist Legacy

The Dvaravati kingdom, primarily associated with the Mon people, flourished as a loose network of city-states across central and northeastern Thailand from the 6th to 11th centuries CE. It served as a vital conduit for Indian cultural and religious influences in Southeast Asia, particularly Theravada Buddhism blended with elements of Mahayana and Hinduism.
https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com/2020/07/

https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com/2020/07/

Dvaravati art is characterized by serene Buddha images with distinctive features like broad faces, downcast eyes, and gentle smiles, often influenced by Gupta and post-Gupta Indian styles. Major centers included Nakhon Pathom (with the massive Phra Pathom Chedi) and U Thong, where ritual deposits beneath stupas and statues were common practices to "energize" sacred sites.

The discovery at Wat Dhammachak Semaram expands evidence of Dvaravati presence in northeastern Thailand, suggesting Sung Noen was a thriving religious hub with extensive trade and cultural.
https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com/2020/07/
https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com/2020/07/


Cultural and Archaeological Significance

This 2025 find underscores the sophistication of Dvaravati metallurgy and religious practices, including the burial of votive offerings beneath monuments—a tradition seen at sites like Si Thep (a UNESCO World Heritage candidate). The blending of Buddhist and Hindu iconography (e.g., possible Brahma attendant) reflects the syncretic nature of early Southeast Asian religion.

Experts note that these artifacts reposition northeastern Thailand as an earlier and more central player in Dvaravati Buddhism than previously thought. The items are currently undergoing conservation and study at the Phimai National Museum.
https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com/2020/07/

https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com/2020/07/
https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com/2020/07/

Visiting Wat Dhammachak Semaram Today
Located approximately 200 km northeast of Bangkok, the temple remains an active pilgrimage site open to visitors. The serene reclining Buddha and ongoing archaeological interest make it a must-visit for those exploring Thailand's ancient Buddhist heritage.
https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com/2020/07/

https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com/2020/07/

Conclusion

The 2025 discoveries at Wat Dhammachak Semaram provide a rare glimpse into the spiritual and artistic world of the Dvaravati period, enriching our understanding of early Buddhism's spread across Southeast Asia. As conservation continues, these relics promise further revelations about ancient ritual practices and cultural exchanges.

Sources: Thailand Fine Arts Department announcements, Archaeology Magazine (May 2025), ARTnews, Buddhistdoor Global, and Heritage Daily.












Location: Thailand

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