Plain of Jars: We woke up early and made our way to Site 1. Site 1 is the largest site and one of only three sites open to the public, the rest being too dangerous due to unexploded ordinance. During the Vietnam War and Communist Revolution in Laos, the Phatet Lao used the plain of jars as a stronghold and many cluster bombs were dropped by American forces across the area. Incredibly enough, it is believed that none of the jars were destroyed. You can see how close they came in the picture of the bomb crater right next to a jar in one of the pictures above.
The jars can be anywhere from 3 to 10 feet high, some with lids, and weigh up to 14 tons. The stone used to produce the jars is not native to Xieng Khouang province. The jars are located in over 400 clusters that stretch from northern Thailand all the way to India. They appear to be laid in a linear path and may be situated along an ancient trade route.
One of the jars at Site 1 had a carving of a person on one side. This is the only jar known to have any type of carvings or engravings on it.
The origins and purpose of the jars are a mystery. Lao legends say they were used for brewing and storing Lao Lao whiskey. An archeological study of the jars found bone fragments and other artifacts that suggest they may have been used as burial urns. They may have also been used to store food or to catch rain water, which could then be boiled for consumption by travelers along the possible trade route.
A cave located at Site 1 has a natural chimney and shows evidence of soot near the opening at the top. At the time of discovery the cave held human remains, including burnt bone and ash, leading the archeologists to theorize it was used as a crematorium. Locals believe it may have been used as a kiln to produce the jars. However, some of the jars are made from granite, so they could not have all been produced in the cave.
After our visit to Site 1, we had to hurry back to the airport to catch our flight back to Vientiane.