BANGKOK, 20 November 2014 – The United States has turned over 554 archaeologically significant items, most of which were of prehistoric era, to Thailand.
Mr. W. Patrick Murphy, Charge d’affaires of the US mission in Thailand, Department of Information Director-General Sek Wannamethi and Department of Fine Arts Director-General Bawonwet Rungruchi witnessed the official handover of the artefacts on Wednesday, presided over by Culture Minister Veera Rojpojanarat.
According to Mr. Veera, the artefacts were previously stored at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California. The items comprise 222 articles of clay pottery, 197 bronze ornaments, 79 bronze tools, 35 articles of decorative beads, 11 articles of stone tools and axes, and 10 articles of sandstone moulds. Most of the artifacts were prehistoric items from archaeological sites in Thailand’s Northeast. A number were prehistoric items from sites in Thailand’s Central Region. A few remaining items were newer artefacts not from the prehistoric period.
Mr. Bawonwet said a portion of the items will be put on display at Ban Chieng National Museum in Udon Thani due to interest from local residents. Another portion will be put on display at the national museum in Pathumthani.
