Dong Lakhon Ancient Town, The ancient town is located in Tambon Dong Lakhon, 9 kilometres. from downtown Nakhon Nayok via highway 3076. Motorist should turn right and keep going for other 6.3 kilometres, via Wat Chedi Thong, and go to Wat Dong Lakhon. This ancient town was formerly called “Laplae City”. It can be dated back to Dhavaravadi and Khmer era. The hill of Dong Lakhon or Dong Yai acquires 6 sq. kms. Inside is an ancient town called Dong Lek, which is an oval shaped town lying rather west of the hill. The town is ringed by two walls and a moat, like most town in Dhavaravadi period. This town is probably the residential area of the rulers, while the people should scatter around. The town prosperity can be divided obviously into two periods. The first period, 9-11th century, the town was dominated by Dhavaravadi culture. The second period, 12th-14th century, it had Khmer culture and pre-Ayutthaya culture. By the 14th century, people of Dong Lakhon might migrate and resettle along main rivers in Nakhon Nayok. The city might be related to Si Mahosot Town in Prachinburi, which is only 55 kilometres away. Antique found around the site include broken terra cotta and blue ceramic, glass beads, stone beads, terra cotta coins, lead sheets, bronze earrings, gold leaf, gold-plated Buddha Image head, laterite stupa, bronze rings and bracelets. Legend says this city once was a secret place of Khmer queen which was difficult for outsider to get in. Lush jungle blanketing around made it a maze where people can easily get lost inside. During holy days, people always hear traditional music like classical dance is performing in the palace. So they call the place Dong Lakhon or “the jungle of classical dance”. Another clue says Dong Lakhon may derive from Dong Nakhon or the jungle city. The Fine Art Department has registered it as National Ancient Site on March 8, 1935.
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