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Restoration of 12th-Century 'Hariphunchai' Style Buddhist Temple in Thailand Unveils Rare Bronze Lotus Finials

📅 April 1, 2026 📰 Asian Antiquities Gazette
Restoration of 12th-Century 'Hariphunchai' Style Buddhist Temple in Thailand Unveils Rare Bronze Lotus Finials

In the Lamphun province of Northern Thailand, the restoration of a 12th-century stupa and its associated temple hall has led to the recovery of several Bronze Lotus finials coated in high-purity gold. These artifacts were found hidden within a secret reliquary chamber beneath the main altar, accompanied by silver-foil sutras written in the Mon-Hariphunchai script.

The temple, which predates the Lanna Kingdom's expansion, showcases an architectural transition between the Dvaravati style and early Thai forms. The preservation project has also stabilized the laterite foundations, which were found to be reinforced with a unique mixture of crushed eggshells and resin, an ancient anti-seismic technique previously unknown in the region.

Original source: Asian Antiquities Gazette