Archaeologists in Thailand have discovered two gold rings at an ancient burial site, one of which bears a 2,000-year-old inscription. The rings were found in late June at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site in Phetchaburi Province, accompanied by human bones, according to Thailand's Fine Arts Department.
The site, located approximately 80 miles southwest of Bangkok, was identified as an archaeological area earlier this year after residents discovered fragments of ancient bronze drums in a rice field.
One of the gold rings displays a short inscription etched onto its oval face. Experts believe the script is the ancient Indian Brahmi script and reads "pusarakhitasa," which translates to "the one protected by Pushya." Pushya is a lunar constellation in ancient Indian astronomy historically linked to good fortune and protection, suggesting the inscription may have served as a protective blessing.
The second gold ring is equally well-preserved but lacks any visible inscription or decorative pattern. The owner of the rings may have belonged to the Vaishya class, a social group traditionally associated with merchants and traders in ancient India's caste system.
These rings are among numerous artifacts unearthed at the site, including eight human skeletons, other gold and bronze jewelry, pottery, and various other objects. The presence of these grave goods suggests that the deceased were individuals of high social standing.
Excavations at the Don Yai Thong site are ongoing and are expected to conclude in July. Officials stated that the recovered artifacts will eventually be made available for public display. This discovery adds to a series of recent archaeological finds of ancient gold treasures globally, including a tomb filled with gold artifacts in Panama and a cache of ancient artifacts in Egypt.