The Atlas Obscura Podcast Plain of Jars (Classic)
9 snips
Oct 20, 2025 Dive into the mysterious Plain of Jars in Laos, where ancient relics meet modern danger. Discover how the site intertwines with the impact of the Vietnam War and unexploded ordnance. Learn about pioneering researcher Madeleine Kalani's burial hypotheses and recent discoveries shedding light on the jars' origins. Hear personal stories from locals about the wartime past and ongoing community efforts to preserve this significant archaeological site.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Firsthand Wonder At The Jars
- Sulya Bunzaiti described his first visit after an eight-hour drive with family to see the giant stone jars.
- He recalled the jars' immense scale and that some are big enough to crawl inside.
Jars Are Ancient And Mysterious
- Thousands of jars sit on ridges, plains, and slopes and date back roughly 2,500 years.
- Their clustered layouts, carved rims, and frequent emptiness make their original purpose mysterious.
1930s Trailblazer Documented Sites
- Madeleine Kalani documented about 20 jar sites in the 1930s while traveling with her sister.
- She found human remains and proposed the jars might be burial urns.