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The Plain of Jars is one of the most important prehistoric sites in Southeast Asia, located near Phonsavan, Xieng Khuang in Laos. The plain of jars has been a challenge to international archaeologists with many myths and its origin is still unknown until now. There are about 2000 jars altogether scattered in many locations of the province. Due to unexploded bombs and mines not all sites are open to visitors. The history of the stone jars is still a mystery and their purpose is unknown, but they are believed to be about 1,500 – 2,000 years old. According to Laotian legend, giants who once settled the area created jars to store rice wine which to commemorate the victory of King Khun Cheung. Another theory is that these jars were used to store rainwater which could be provided for caravan travelers as water was not easily available. Most archaeologists believe them to be urns. In 1930, French archaeologist Madeleine Colani began surveying the area and concluded that the stone jars were related to prehistoric burial rites when she discovered a cave housing human remains. Excavations by Laotian and Japanese archaeologists support this hypothesis when many remains, burial objects and ceramics were found around the stone jars.
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