On 14 July, workers and local villagers unearthed a total of 70 ancient Buddha statues during restoration work at Muang Kang temple in Champasack district, Champasack Province, on 14 July.
The discovery came while the residents were digging the ground to renovate the western side of the temple. The items were found buried inside a jar approximately 45 centimeters below the surface.
Among the findings, 69 Buddha images are crafted from silver, while one is made entirely of ancient gold. The statues range in size from 3 to 5 centimeters in width and 10 to 18 centimeters in height. According to the report, the statues date back to the 17th or 18th century
Following the discovery, the Vat Phou Heritage Department conducted a site survey and took the statues for cleaning, preservation, and official registration.
After the registration process, the officials will collaborate with local authorities, community elders, and temple leaders to determine a suitable location to display the statues.
Earlier this year, on 27 March, locals uncovered another set of ancient Buddha statues along the Mekong River, north of Sikhottabong Temple in Thakhek district, Khammouane Province, revealing a total of 14 images.
The collection includes six complete silver Buddha images, one made of bronze, and seven damaged silver ones. Notably, one image features silver and gold detailing in the Lane Xang style.
Experts believe that the site may have once hosted a temple dating back to the Sikhottabong Kingdom period in the 6th century. The recovered artifacts are currently preserved at Sikhottabong Temple.
