Ancient Gold Rings With Brahmi Script Found in Phetchaburi
Two ancient gold rings bearing Brahmi script dating back 1,900–2,100 years have been unearthed at an archaeological site in Phetchaburi, revealing evidence of early Indian-Thai trade and suggesting the wearer was a merchant.
Phetchaburi — The Fine Arts Department is conducting a rescue operation to recover human skeletal remains and artifacts from the Don Yai Thong archaeological site in Samop Ploem Subdistrict, Ban Laad District, Phetchaburi Province. The excavation has been affected by groundwater, salinity, and humidity during the rainy season, risking damage to the remains and artifacts.
According to Panom Boonkaset, Director-General of the Fine Arts Department, during archaeological documentation on July 2, researchers discovered two additional gold rings from skeleton number 4. One is a signet ring with ancient script engraved on its bezel.
Dr. Uten Wongstit from Silpakorn University's Archaeology Department and ancient language experts from the Fine Arts Department preliminarily identified the script as ancient Indian Brahmi, dating to the 5th-7th Buddhist century, or approximately 1,900-2,100 years ago. The inscription reads "Pusarashita," meaning "belonging to Pusarashita" or one protected by the auspicious star Pushya. The ring owner is believed to have been a member of the merchant class. The second ring is a plain gold band without decoration.
This discovery provides important evidence of trade and cultural relations between the Suvarnabhumi region and India in ancient times. Similar Brahmi script has previously been found on ornaments and seals at Khlong Tom in Krabi Province and Khao Sam Kaew in Chumphon Province.
The Fine Arts Department is expediting careful recovery of the human remains using appropriate methods, including individual piece extraction and block lifting for fragile skeletal material. For a recently discovered child skeleton with a large bronze vessel positioned at its center, the block-lifting method will be used to preserve the artifacts in their best condition.
