Pre-Sukhothai Period Settlements

The existence of early settlements in the Yom River valley is suggested by the discovery of some polished stone adzes at Ban Tha Chai and Sri Satchanalai town in Amphoe Sri Satchanalai. Some polished stone adzes were also found at Khao Khen and Khao Ga located about 15 kilometers from Sri Satchanalai. Since stone adzes are normally appeared in prehistoric settlements in Thailand, these materials, therefore, have been considered as an indirect indication of prehistoric, probably Neolithic, settlements in this Yom River Valley.

For the later settlements, there are some Thai and Chinese historic documents dated about the 11th century AD, which mention an ancient city located in the area belonging to Sukhothai. This city is mentioned in the "Yonok Chronicle" of Northern Thailand as "Chaliang" while it is called in the chronicle of the Chinese's Sung Dynasty as "Choeng Lieng".

Archaeological excavations conducted during 1993-1994 at Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat, Wat Chom Chuen and Wat chao Chan in historic Sri Satchanalai town have also found evidence indicating the existence of Pre-Sukhothai activities and buildings in the areas around these temples. The initial human occupations in these excavated areas are now suggested to be datable around the 3rd century AD. The archaeological evidence of the next habitation period is included 12 inhumation burials dated to 5th - 6th century AD. In the deposits overlaying the burials, these are remained of at least 2 large brick buildings that might be datable to the 10th - 11th century AD. The next archaeological deposits, immediately below the upper most deposits belonging to Sukhothai period, yield traces of brick building and some ceramic roofing tiles bearing decorative designs of Ancient Khmer. The art style of these objects is comparable to that appeared at certain parts of Wat Mahathat Chalieng dated to the 12th century AD.

Sukhothai Period Settlements
Si Satchanalai

Si Satchanalai or as formerly called "Chalieng" was another city of importance due to its being a chieftain city of Sukhothai. It was situated on the bank of Yom River, north of Sukhothai. During the reign of "King Li Thai" or "Phra Maha Dhamarajal" of Sukhothai (1347-1374), Si Satchanalai had reached its peak in prosperity; many art objects and monuments were created and built

According to early stone inscriptions, local legends, and historic chronicles, there had been 2 large cities in the Yom River Valley before the time when King Sri Inthrathit became the ruler of Sukhothai. These cities were called Sukhothai and Chalieng, and had an equal status. Scholars believe that the city of Chalieng was later ruled by Sukhothai and was given the new name of Sri Satchanalai.

When King Sri Inthrathit ruled Sukhothai, he sent his eldest son Pho Khun Barn Muang to govern the town of Sri Satchanalai. Then, when Pho Khun Barn Muang became the king of the Sukhothai Kingdom; he sent his younger brother Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng to rule Sri Satchanalai. Thus, the status of Sri Satchanalai was changed from an autonomous city, to a city governed  by the crown prince of the Sukhothai Kingdom.
Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng became the king of Sukhothai after his elder brother passed away. During the rule of King Ramkhamhaeng , Sukhothai had great economic, cultural, and social developments. The Ceramic industry of this kingdom became prosperous. He also built temples and constructed a town wall at Sri Satchanalai.

During the times of the later King Li Thai who was the ruler of Sri Satchanalai
Before taking the throne at Sukhothai, many temples were built and restored and Sri Satchanalai was changed to become secondary outpost town.   

Religion and Culture

During the time when this town was known as Chalieng, it was one of the cultural centers in the Yom River Valley. Even when it became a town under the ruling power of Sukhothai, and was called Sri Satchanalai instead of Chalieng, it remained a high status town. It was the town of the crown prince. Most of the kings of the Sukhothai Kingdom had previously been rulers of Sri Satchanalai before taking the royal throne at Sukhothai.

Architectural an archaeological remains found in this historic town point out clearly that it was not only a politically important town but also quite an important religious center. During the Sukhothai period the Hinayana branch of Buddhism was the main religious belief. Religious buildings belonged to Brahmanism and Hinayana Buddhism are to be found at Wat Chao Chan and Wat Phra Sri Ratana Mahathat Chalieng indicating that Mahayana Buddhism, was the major religion of the Sukhothai population. This supports the idea that Sri Satchanalai had a religious significance from its earliest times. A large number of religious buildings and temples in Sri Satchanalai were constructed from late rite which is found locally. These religious structures were normally coated and decorated with stucco. The decorative stucco sculptures of Sri Satchanalai are always considered as the most highly artistic achievements of the ancient Thai people.

Monuments in historic city area 

Temple Terms Explained

Wat Chang Lom
This temple is located almost at the center of the historic town, and is situated on the plain to the east of Khao Phnom Phloeng, an important low hill inside the town. The most important historic buildings at this temple are the main Chedi of Lankan style bounded by a demarked wall. The base of the Chedi is high and square in shape. The front side of the base was decorated with 8 elephant sculptures while other sides were decorated with 9 sculptures of elephants. There was one sculpture at each corner of the base. Altogether there were 39 sculptures of elephants around the base. The sculptures of elephants at Wat Chang Lom are quite different from those found at other temples. These represent fully standing elephants and are taller than the live elephant...Some scholars believe that this was the temple mentioned in the text of the Stone Inscription Number 1, made by King Ramkhamhaeng in 1286 AD, as the place where the king dug up the Buddha remains in order to make a homage to the remains, before he reburied them and built a Chedi over the them.

Wat Chedi Jet Thaew
.This temple is located opposite to Wat Chang Lom. The important constructions in this temple are the main Chedi with lotus shape top, a Viharn building and 33 subordinate Chedis. A demarcation wall surrounded all the constructions. A temple ditch originally surrounded the whole building complex. The temple had been called Wat Chedi Jet Thaew which means the temple with 7 rows of Chedis, because there are many subordinate Chedis here. The subordinate Chedis are quite famous. These bear various styles of art such as Lankan, Pagan, and Srivijaya. The late Prince Damrongjanuphap suggested that this might be the temple where the remains of the Sukhothai royal family were kept.

Wat Suan Kaew Utthayan Yai
The important historic structures in this temple include a main Lankan style Chedi made of late rite and the foundations of a Viharn building with 10 late rite roof supported posts. The demarcation walls made of late rite blocks surrounded the buildings.

Wat Nang Phya
The main Chedi of Lankan style is the focus of this temple. This Chedi is supported by a high base that was once decorated with sculptures of elephants similar to Wat Chang Lom. Another important and famous historic structure here is a Viharn building made of late rite blocks. The exterior face of the Viharn wall was decorated with highly elaborate stucco, bearing the art style of the early Ayutthaya period.

Wat Suan Kaew Uttayan Noi
This temple is located about 200 meters to the east of Wat Chang Lom. The main Chedi of this temple has a lotus shaped top. There are 13 subordinate Chedis surrounding the main Chedi. A demarcation wall was surrounded the temple with 2 entrances at the front and the back.

Wat Khao Suwankhiri
It is another temple built on the top of a hill. This hill, called Khao Suwankhiri, is located to the west of Khao Phnom Phloeng.

Monuments in Northern area

Tao Thu Rieng Ban Koh Noi
There are other groups of glazed ceramic kilns at Sri Satchanalai that were constructed along the bank of the Yom River. They are located about 4 kilometers from the Ban Pa Yang Groups of kilns. About 200 kilns are now found in an area measuring about 1.5 square kilometers. These can be divided into a few groups. As of the present, 2 groups of kilns have been archeologically excavated and developed into site museums. These are as follows:

a) Kiln Group No.61
This group comprises of 4 underground kilns dug into the river banks. The main products of these kilns were large jars that could be used to store water and other dry materials.

B) Kiln Group No. 42
19 kilns have already been found in this group. These kilns can be divided into 2 major types; namely the updraft and cross -draft types.

Archaeological studies made on the ceramic kilns at Ban Koh Noi have yielded much knowledge on the developments of ancient ceramic technology of Sri Satchanalai as follows:

The earlier type of kiln that appeared at Ban Koh Noi around 11th -12th century AD was the underground bank-kiln type. This early type of kiln looked just like a round hole dug into the river banks. There were no fired walls to separate the pottery firing chamber from the fuel chamber. Both glazed and unglazed ceramic jars and bowls were produced in these underground kilns. The glazed ceramics produced during this early period were only of an olive green colour.

The second type of kiln at Ban Koh Noi was of an above-ground construction, these were much larger in size than the earlier type and were constructed directly over the earlier kilns. Olive green glazed pottery was the main product of these kilns.

The later type of above-ground Kiln was constructed from bricks. Glazed pottery produced in these later kilns, dated from around the 14th - 15th century AD and was of various types and shapes. During this time the glazed pottery of Sri Satchanalai, known as Sangkhalok, was exported to as far as Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Tao Thu Rieng Ban Pa Yang
These are groups of ancient glazed ceramic kilns constructed on the west bank of Yom River and are located about 500 meters from the historic town of Sri Satchanalai . At least 21 kilns are known to be existed here. The kilns can be divided into 2 main groups as follows.

a) Tao Yak Group
This group which was comprised of 15 kilns produced mainly pottery and ceramic sculptures. The latter were mostly in the form of demons, divine beings and dragon figures that were normally used as architectural decorative elements. Because the word "Yak" in Thai language means a demon, and since this group of kilns produced a large number of Yak figurines, the group of kilns has been called Tao Yak means the kilns for producing the demon figures.

b) Tao Tukkata Group
In Thai the word Tukkkata means dolls or small figurines. Apparently, this group of kilns produced quite a large number of small human and animal figurines. This is the reason why the group of kilns has been called Tao Tukkata.

The Tao Tukkata Group of kilns located about 600 meters to the north of the Tao Yak group; it was comprised of at least 6 cross-draft kilns with curve ceilings. The floor of the firing chamber of the kilns was slightly sloped, about 10-30 degrees.

Wat Kudi Rai
This monument located about 50 meters from the Tao Moh Entrance of the historic town of Sri Satchanalai. The most significant historic building is a Viharn with Mondopa style roof. It was constructed mainly from late rite block.

Wat Phra Sri Ratana Mahathat
This is a large historic temple complex, located in the southeast of Sri Satchanalai. Decorative stucco bearing the Bayon art style of ancient Khmer is found at the main entrance of the temple as well as archaeological evidence excavated here; including foundations of earlier brick structures found beneath 2 buildings called Viharn Luang and Viharn Song Phi Nong and fragments of roofing tile with designs in the Bayon art style, this points out clearly that Wat Phra Sri Ratana Mahathat was originally founded before the Sukhothai period. Some scholars suggest that it was firstly constructed during the times of Pho Khun Sri Nao Nam Thom, around 1237 AD.

The main shrine
This was built from blocks of late rite covered with lime plaster and red paint. Architectural characteristics of the shrine as seen in the present indicate that it could be dated to the Early Ayutthaya period. However, there is some archaeological evidence suggesting that the shrine might have been built to cover an earlier structure, probably an important pre-Sukhothai period Stupa or Chedi

Viharn Luang Pho To

This building is situated in front of the main shrine. A huge Buddha image of the Maravijaya gesture was placed inside this building.

Phra That Mutao
This is possibly the remains of a Mon Style Chedi built from blocks of late rite. It was certainly built at a different time from the shrine

Mondop of Phra Attarot
This building is situated just behind Phra Thai Mutao. As suggested by some scholars, the original Mondop might have had sculptures of Buddha on each exterior wall and had a roof with ceramic tiles.

Viharn Song Phi Nong
Located to the left of the Modop, this building was built from blocks of late rite directly on the ruin of a brick building.

Monuments to the East

Wat Suan Sak
The important buildings in the temple include a main Chedi, a rectangular Viharn and demarcation walls. These are all made of late rite blocks.

Wat Pa Kaew
The important buildings in the temple included a main Chedi of Lankan style and a Wiharn of a rectangular design. These were made from late rite blocks

Monuments in Western area

Wat Phya Dam
The important historic buildings in the temple included the main Mondopa, a Wiharn building, a Mondopa of a standing Buddha image and 38 subordinate Chedi. A reservoir was dug in front of the Viharn building. The whole temple complex was surrounded by a demarcation wall made of elongated late rite blocks

Wat Sra Phatum
The significant historic monuments comprise a Mondopa built of late rite blocks, a Chedi with round lower base located behind the Mondopa, and a Viharn building. Two small Buddha images covered with gold foil were found during an excavation recently conducted here. The temple complex was surrounded by a ditch. There was a small road of late rite blocks which connected the temple to Wat Phya Dam.

Wat Phrom Si Na
The temple is located on a low plain near to an ancient irrigation dike, and is about 300 meters to the north of Wat Sra Phatum. The important historic monuments included, a main Mondopa with a 4 inch sill for placing the standing Buddha images and a Viharn building. One of the niches on the Mondopa was decorated with wall paintings of a man holding a sword.

Wat Yai Ta
The most important historic monument in this temple located to the west of Wat Sra Khai Nam is a main Mondopa. This is the highest and largest Mondopa in Sri Satchanalai. A large ceramic tube which might have been used either as water pipe or as window balustrade was found, inscribed with the words  "Nang Phimpha" in Thai alphabet characters of Sukhothai period.

Wat Chedi Jed Yot
The main Chedi with a Mondop style top of this temple has many spines, the local villagers, therefore, have called the temple as Wat Chedi Jed Yot means the temple of the 7 spines Chedi. It is one the 15 temples of Sri Satchanalai built on the hills. It is quite clear that the natural rock on the slope of the hill was levelled before the main Chedi and its associated Wiharn were constructed, directly on the rock.
The main Chedi contains 4 small niches, one at each side of it. Wall paintings and some inscriptions in Thai alphabet of the Sukhothai period were found in the niches.

Wat Khao Yai Lang
This temple was constructed on slope of a hill called Khao Yai. It is located to the west of Wat Chedi Ain. The significant historic building is a Lankan style main Chedi. The bell-shape middle part of this Chedi is relatively short compared with other Lankan style Chedis. This suggests that it might be an early form of the Lankan style Chedi found Sri Satchanalai.

Wat Chedi Ain
This temple is located on the same hill with Wat Jed Yod, but on the opposite side. The important historic buildings include a main Lankan style Chedi and a viharn building. Both were constructed from blocks of late rite.

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