Excavations in the rural outskirts of Phitsanulok have revealed the remains of a Dvaravati-period Buddhist temple dating back to the 8th century. The site is distinguished by an unprecedented find: a series of terracotta narrative panels inlaid with thin strips of copper, depicting scenes from the Jataka tales in a style that suggests early maritime links with the Indian subcontinent.
The temple's base is constructed of high-fired laterite blocks, and archaeologists have recovered several silver coins bearing the 'Srivatsa' symbol, indicating the site's importance as a regional religious and administrative hub. The discovery provides crucial data on the spread of Mon-Dvaravati culture into Northern Thailand and its sophisticated metallurgical craftsmanship.