PETCHABURI — 2 July 2026, The Fine Arts Department has uncovered two more ancient gold rings, including one bearing a rare Brahmi inscription, during excavations at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site.
Director-General Phanombut Chantarachot said that archaeologists were recovering human skeletons and artefacts from the site after rising groundwater, salinity and seasonal rain threatened to damage the fragile remains.
During the operation, the team discovered two gold rings associated with Skeleton No. 4.
One ring is engraved with an ancient Brahmi inscription and is believed to have served as a signet ring. Preliminary analysis by experts from Silpakorn University and the Fine Arts Department dates the inscription to the 5th–7th Buddhist centuries, or about 1,900–2,100 years ago.
The inscription is read as “Pusrakhitasa”, meaning “belonging to Pusrakhita” or “protected by the Pushya star”. Archaeologists believe the ring’s owner may have belonged to the Vaishya (merchant) caste.
The second gold ring has no decorative design.
Similar Brahmi inscriptions have previously been found on seals and jewellery at archaeological sites in Krabi and Chumphon, highlighting early trade and cultural links between the Indian subcontinent and present-day Thailand.
Both rings have been transferred to Phra Nakhon Khiri National Museum for conservation and further study.
The Fine Arts Department said excavation and recovery work will continue over the coming month before the site is closed and preliminary findings are presented to the public in an exhibition showcasing artefacts recovered from Don Yai Thong.