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Plain of Jars
Huge, mysterious stone jars are scattered in several groups on the high plains surrounding Phonsavan in northern Laos. Both the origin and purpose of these strange artifacts remain unknown. Their age is commonly estimated at 2000 years but erosion of the stone suggests they may be much more ancient; it has not yet been possible to date them accurately. Most of the remaining jars weigh between 1/2 and 1 ton; the largest is estimated to weigh six tons.
During the Vietnamese civil war this part of Laos was heavily damaged by both the North Vietnamese Army (who claimed they weren't there) and the U.S. Air Force (who claimed they weren't bombing them). During the heavy bombardment of the late 1960's the local population was reduced to living in caves; the Plain of Jars is still pockmarked with huge bomb craters. The entire region is still unsafe due to massive quantities of unexploded ordinance which still litters the province.
This photograph is available as an 11x16" signed print, archivally mounted and matted or archivally framed in black metal.
Mounted size is 17"x22" (43x56 cm).
Archivally mounted and matted
17"x22"
$295
Archivally framed
17"x22"
$395