History of Ancient jar and coffin site, Chi Phat Eco Tourism site, Tmar Bang district, Koh Kong province

(Written by Ty Theavy)

This site is a real mystery. No one knows exactly its true origins. This place was first found by a villager collecting sandal wood in 1984. Seven ancient jars are situated in a crevice in the rock face and 13 ancient coffins are stored on a rock shelf.   Some of the jars were broken, likely because people broke them for the valuable trinkets inside due to a belief that if their children wear the beaded necklaces taken from the jars, they will be peaceful and have good health. The broken jars are now fixed by the jar conservationists.  This site is protected by CBET. In 2008, an archaeology group from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts came on a study visit where they concluded that the coffins, jars, and bones are about 500 years old. Some of the jars were imported from China, but some were made in Cambodia. However, in 2010, the second group, an expert team from Sidney led by Dr. Nancy, concluded similarly, but Jars were made in Thailand, Sokhoutey in 1600, except the beads which found in the jars and coffins, were imported from China. One of the jars was in the time of Angkor era, in the 12th and 13th century. The dead people were wanderers, Most of them died of malaria.

This place is 21 kilometers from Chi Phat village and belongs to Cham Sla village. It takes you 7 hours to go there and come back by mountain bike.  On the way you have to cross 7 streams which can be tricky in the wet season.