August 2021 PMID 33690656

Dating the megalithic culture of laos: Radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence and U/Pb zircon results.

Louise Shewan, Dougald O'Reilly, Richard Armstrong, Phillip Toms, John Webb, Nancy Beavan, Thonglith Luangkhoth, Jamie Wood, Siân Halcrow, Kate Domett, Julie Van Den Bergh, Nigel Chang

Mentions

57
Peak: 13 in Mar 2021
across 6 sources since Mar 2021

Extended reach

1,374,247
potential audience

Total likes

22,167

Video views

1,208,091

Mentions per month

Mar 2021 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter42 posts
  • Bluesky7 posts
  • Facebook3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • News2 articles
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, the discussions show strong support and genuine interest, with phrases like 'remarkable new paper' and references to dating the sites, demonstrating enthusiasm. The tone and context reflect appreciation for the scientific advances and the cultural significance, though some tweets briefly mention broader implications or personal experiences with the sites, indicating both curiosity and respect for the archaeological findings.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions recognize the significance of the research and support its findings, with many referencing the dating methods and the cultural importance of the sites.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high curiosity and enthusiasm, mentioning specific details like the radiocarbon and U/Pb zircon results, and expressing fascination with the sites' history.

EngagementHigh engagement

Several contributions include detailed references, comparisons to similar archaeological findings, and mentions of ongoing challenges like bomb removal, indicating deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The recognition of the research's importance to understanding Southeast Asian history and the acknowledgment of technical breakthroughs suggest perceived high impact.

Abstract in brief

  • The megalithic jar sites of Laos, known as the Plain of Jars, are ancient, mysterious archaeological sites featuring large stone jars that may have been placed there as early as the late second millennium BC, based on luminescence dating.
  • Geochronological studies, including U-Pb zircon and radiocarbon dating, reveal insights into the origins of the stone and the timeline of site use, indicating that the jars held ritual significance from ancient times through at least the 10th to 13th centuries AD.
  • The UNESCO World Heritage designation highlights the importance of these sites, which remain complex and poorly understood, with ongoing research aiming to uncover more about their cultural and historical context.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Stefan Milosavljevich
@Historysmilo · X

@Trey_Explainer Laos had a 4000 year old megalithic culture that just loved creating massive stone jars. Source: Dating the megalithic culture of laos: Radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence and U/Pb zircon results https://t.co/E32OjPbLRW

Aug 18, 2021 · 55 likes · 2 shares · 6,958 followers View post →
GemsOfINDOLOGY
@GemsOfINDOLOGY · X

Similar jars ~3000 years old even more enormous with some going up to 10 feet in height and 6.5 feet (2 meters) in width, found in 2016 in Laos were found to contain cremated human remains #Archaeology https://t.co/kbRZ5FMzx7 https://t.co/8k2G1Imwol https://t.co/tWPFNBhjCN

Apr 1, 2022 · 39 likes · 10 shares · 94,333 followers View post →
Ricardo Calvário - History Myths & Legends
@RicardoCalvrio1 · X

Asia Megaliths Plain of Jars Thread of 31 Slides Dating the megalithic culture of laos: Radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence and U/Pb zircon results https://t.co/9wo8dDMY4P

Dec 5, 2023 · 27 likes · 5 shares · 7,590 followers View post →
Professor Rachel Popelka-Filcoff
@PopelkaFilcoff · X

A new paper from @UniMelb @SciMelb #ArchaeologicalScience on "Dating the megalithic culture of Laos: Radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence and U/Pb zircon results" by Louise Shewan et al. in PLOS ONE: https://t.co/pM9V7AvE7k https://t.co/ruZfnM2CZa

Mar 18, 2021 · 23 likes · 4 shares · 743 followers View post →
Southeast Asian Archaeology
@seaarch · X

via PLoS One, 10 March 2021: A exciting new paper by Shewan et al. dates the Plain of Jars to as early as the late second millennium BC, while the associated burials to a more fairly recent 9-13th centuries CE. https://t.co/abixIaijco

Mar 10, 2021 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 3,307 followers View post →
ISEAArchaeology
@iseaarchaeology · X

Remarkable new paper on #dating the megalithic jars of the #PlainofJars #Laos! #archaeology #SoutheastAsia @ancientchildren @KDomett @BanNonWat @UNESCO https://t.co/4AW1U8hjBe

Mar 13, 2021 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 1,056 followers View post →

All mentions

Unveiling the Mystery of Laos' Megalithic Jar Sites

The megalithic jar sites of Laos, known as the Plain of Jars, date back to as early as the late second millennium BC. Radiocarbon and luminescence dating reveal their significance from ancient times through the 10th to…

Stefan Milo · Nov 21, 2024 1,208,043 views
JFK Whitlam
@JfkWhitlam · X

https://t.co/6nEOr0uxgu

Oct 29, 2025 · 1,154 followers View post →
Marty
@martyrye62.bsky.social · Bluesky

Meanwhile youtu.be/jOBmfHkcWj8?...

Sep 22, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
Barbara Mcallister
@Barbara74801021 · X

5 incredible ancient monuments you might not know https://t.co/EHMF1AMiI1 via @YouTube

Jan 13, 2025 · 253 followers View post →
Mr Before Turning The G​un On Himself
@gay_horse420 · X

@corduroysuits It's bc i fell asleep watching this https://t.co/dMNkMKBoFM

Jan 6, 2025 · 1 like · 1,082 followers View post →
Tom Mulder
@toca325.bsky.social · Bluesky

youtu.be/jOBmfHkcWj8?...

Dec 20, 2024 View post →
Anarco Soma
@zeroxcliche · X

5 incredible ancient monuments you might not know https://t.co/imZHxW7KGF via @YouTube

Dec 1, 2024 · 1,107 followers View post →
Andre Grueter
@GrueterAndre · X

5 incredible ancient monuments you might not know https://t.co/x5WUBJmjz2

Dec 1, 2024 · 1,240 followers View post →
cibeli aka psicóloga bene gesserit
@cibeli.bsky.social · Bluesky

lugares que gostaria de visitar (seriously) youtu.be/jOBmfHkcWj8?...

Nov 24, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
Ufal Salman
@fedi.ufal.my.id · Bluesky

The Epic of Gilgamesh mentioned https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOBmfHkcWj8

Nov 24, 2024 View post →
John Stopman
@StopmanJohn · X

5 incredible ancient monuments you might not know https://t.co/GvOWotNuiu via @YouTube

Nov 23, 2024 · 136 followers View post →
Connor J. Tabarrok
@ConnorTabarrok · X

@lefineder This recently gota mention in a new Stefan Milo video! Worth a watch for sure! https://t.co/Rr5gzSaq6a

Nov 22, 2024 · 1 like · 950 followers View post →
Liska Dae (she/they)
@liskadaebabbet.bsky.social · Bluesky

youtu.be/jOBmfHkcWj8?...

Nov 22, 2024 View post →
Steph Petrie
@stephpet.bsky.social · Bluesky

Last monument he discussed is in Laos, the most bombed place in the world done, yet again, by the US during the Vietnam war. Archeological work is difficult as all sites have to be checked for cluster bombs. Bombs still kill many each year. Bomb clearing will take 100 yrs youtu.be/jOBmfHkcWj8?...

Nov 22, 2024 View post →
Perkele
@itseperkele.bsky.social · Bluesky

Ooh, nice a new video from Stefan Milo! youtu.be/jOBmfHkcWj8

Nov 21, 2024 View post →
Yaznaz Padron
@PadronYaznaz · X

RT @RicardoCalvrio1: Asia Megaliths Plain of Jars Thread of 31 Slides Dating the megalithic culture of laos: Radiocarbon, optically stimula…

Dec 5, 2023 · 5 shares · 350 followers View post →
Bir
@yanneyboy1 · X

RT @RicardoCalvrio1: Asia Megaliths Plain of Jars Thread of 31 Slides Dating the megalithic culture of laos: Radiocarbon, optically stimula…

Dec 5, 2023 · 5 shares · 1,204 followers View post →
sherman osborn
@nascar_oz · X

RT @RicardoCalvrio1: Asia Megaliths Plain of Jars Thread of 31 Slides Dating the megalithic culture of laos: Radiocarbon, optically stimula…

Dec 5, 2023 · 5 shares · 5,240 followers View post →
Dr.M₳ryJ⚡I buy Shitcoins,I hold ₿itcoin ❤₳d₳ᴺᶠᵀ
@mary_el83 · X

RT @RicardoCalvrio1: Asia Megaliths Plain of Jars Thread of 31 Slides Dating the megalithic culture of laos: Radiocarbon, optically stimula…

Dec 5, 2023 · 5 shares · 3,430 followers View post →
Ricardo Calvário - History Myths & Legends
@RicardoCalvrio1 · X

Asia Megaliths Plain of Jars Thread of 31 Slides Dating the megalithic culture of laos: Radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence and U/Pb zircon results https://t.co/9wo8dDMY4P

Dec 5, 2023 · 27 likes · 5 shares · 7,590 followers View post →
Hind
@meamanraj06 · X

RT @GemsOfINDOLOGY: Similar jars ~3000 years old even more enormous with some going up to 10 feet in height and 6.5 feet (2 meters) in widt…

Apr 17, 2023 · 10 shares · 554 followers View post →
Sanatani
@Trapzoid6 · X

RT @GemsOfIndology: Similar jars ~3000 years old even more enormous with some going up to 10 feet in height and 6.5 feet (2 meters) in widt…

Apr 3, 2022 · 10 shares · 12 followers View post →
Sanjay Singh
@SanjayS00663282 · X

RT @GemsOfIndology: Similar jars ~3000 years old even more enormous with some going up to 10 feet in height and 6.5 feet (2 meters) in widt…

Apr 1, 2022 · 10 shares · 2,137 followers View post →
Ritesh Kumar
@riteshkumar2025 · X

RT @GemsOfIndology: Similar jars ~3000 years old even more enormous with some going up to 10 feet in height and 6.5 feet (2 meters) in widt…

Apr 1, 2022 · 10 shares · 60 followers View post →
Aparna Sengupta
@AparnaSengupta9 · X

RT @GemsOfIndology: Similar jars ~3000 years old even more enormous with some going up to 10 feet in height and 6.5 feet (2 meters) in widt…

Apr 1, 2022 · 10 shares · 182 followers View post →
Yogesh Kumar
@mechyyogi · X

RT @GemsOfIndology: Similar jars ~3000 years old even more enormous with some going up to 10 feet in height and 6.5 feet (2 meters) in widt…

Apr 1, 2022 · 10 shares · 447 followers View post →
RJ
@shajorjita · X

RT @GemsOfIndology: Similar jars ~3000 years old even more enormous with some going up to 10 feet in height and 6.5 feet (2 meters) in widt…

Apr 1, 2022 · 10 shares · 329 followers View post →
Mangalam
@Flamingoflyaway · X

RT @GemsOfIndology: Similar jars ~3000 years old even more enormous with some going up to 10 feet in height and 6.5 feet (2 meters) in widt…

Apr 1, 2022 · 10 shares · 307 followers View post →
The Unnamed Feeling
@TheUnnamedFeel4 · X

RT @GemsOfIndology: Similar jars ~3000 years old even more enormous with some going up to 10 feet in height and 6.5 feet (2 meters) in widt…

Apr 1, 2022 · 10 shares · 933 followers View post →
GemsOfINDOLOGY
@GemsOfINDOLOGY · X

Similar jars ~3000 years old even more enormous with some going up to 10 feet in height and 6.5 feet (2 meters) in width, found in 2016 in Laos were found to contain cremated human remains #Archaeology https://t.co/kbRZ5FMzx7 https://t.co/8k2G1Imwol https://t.co/tWPFNBhjCN

Apr 1, 2022 · 39 likes · 10 shares · 94,333 followers View post →
QuizzicalLichen
@QuizzicalLichen · X

RT @Historysmilo: @Trey_Explainer Laos had a 4000 year old megalithic culture that just loved creating massive stone jars. Source: Dating t…

Aug 19, 2021 · 2 shares · 13 followers View post →
megalizard88
@megalizard88 · X

RT @Historysmilo: @Trey_Explainer Laos had a 4000 year old megalithic culture that just loved creating massive stone jars. Source: Dating t…

Aug 18, 2021 · 2 shares · 549 followers View post →
Stefan Milosavljevich
@Historysmilo · X

@Trey_Explainer Laos had a 4000 year old megalithic culture that just loved creating massive stone jars. Source: Dating the megalithic culture of laos: Radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence and U/Pb zircon results https://t.co/E32OjPbLRW

Aug 18, 2021 · 55 likes · 2 shares · 6,958 followers View post →
Lucy Clarke
@DrLucyClarke · X

RT @glosgeog: New open access research article involving #GlosLuminescence: dating the Plain of Jars in Laos https://t.co/PvN1h88yfn @unio…

May 5, 2021 · 1 share · 1,638 followers View post →
GlosGeog
@glosgeog · X

New open access research article involving #GlosLuminescence: dating the Plain of Jars in Laos https://t.co/PvN1h88yfn @uniofglos @UoGNatSocSci https://t.co/HjwaXeDarh

May 5, 2021 · 2 likes · 1 share · 683 followers View post →
Prof. Juan Cisneros ⚒️
@PaleoCisneros · X

Eu não tinha ideia da existência disto. Centenas de cilindros de pedra, ocos, com 3 mil anos de idade, espalhados em Laos. Esperando alguém falar em baterias alienígenas em 3, 2, 1... https://t.co/1XdArbWocf https://t.co/p9T3xkBjQA

Apr 29, 2021 · 3 likes · 11,235 followers View post →
おやつMaster(考古学のおやつ)
@OyatsuMaster · X

#考古学のおやつ 3/3 →葬送活動は紀元後9~13世紀に行われた。 cf. Louise Shewan et al. "Dating the megalithic culture of laos: Radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence and U/Pb zircon results" PLoS ONE 16(3): e0247167. [PLOS ONE (@PLOSONE)] https://t.co/jUKH2VyJsS

Apr 25, 2021 · 4 likes · 4,255 followers View post →
Piyawit Moonkham, Ph.D.
@JiwMoonkham · X

RT @iseaarchaeology: Remarkable new paper on #dating the megalithic jars of the #PlainofJars #Laos! #archaeology #SoutheastAsia @ancientchi…

Apr 16, 2021 · 2 shares · 92 followers View post →
Dr Helen Green
@HelenGreen2021 · X

RT @PopelkaFilcoff: A new paper from @UniMelb @SciMelb #ArchaeologicalScience on "Dating the megalithic culture of Laos: Radiocarbon, optic…

Mar 22, 2021 · 4 shares · 134 followers View post →
CAA Australasia
@CAA_Australasia · X

RT @PopelkaFilcoff: A new paper from @UniMelb @SciMelb #ArchaeologicalScience on "Dating the megalithic culture of Laos: Radiocarbon, optic…

Mar 18, 2021 · 4 shares · 691 followers View post →
Dr Amy Prendergast
@AmyLPrendergast · X

RT @PopelkaFilcoff: A new paper from @UniMelb @SciMelb #ArchaeologicalScience on "Dating the megalithic culture of Laos: Radiocarbon, optic…

Mar 18, 2021 · 4 shares · 1,607 followers View post →
Professor Rachel Popelka-Filcoff
@PopelkaFilcoff · X

A new paper from @UniMelb @SciMelb #ArchaeologicalScience on "Dating the megalithic culture of Laos: Radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence and U/Pb zircon results" by Louise Shewan et al. in PLOS ONE: https://t.co/pM9V7AvE7k https://t.co/ruZfnM2CZa

Mar 18, 2021 · 23 likes · 4 shares · 743 followers View post →
UoG Repository
@UniGlosRepos · X

Dating the megalithic culture of Laos: Radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence and U/Pb zircon results - read it here: https://t.co/wLVR3vG6N9

Mar 16, 2021 · 662 followers View post →
Siân Halcrow
@ancientchildren · X

RT @iseaarchaeology: Remarkable new paper on #dating the megalithic jars of the #PlainofJars #Laos! #archaeology #SoutheastAsia @ancientchi…

Mar 14, 2021 · 2 shares · 3,730 followers View post →
ISEAArchaeology
@iseaarchaeology · X

Remarkable new paper on #dating the megalithic jars of the #PlainofJars #Laos! #archaeology #SoutheastAsia @ancientchildren @KDomett @BanNonWat @UNESCO https://t.co/4AW1U8hjBe

Mar 13, 2021 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 1,056 followers View post →
Past and Curious
@past_andcurious · X

RT @CahiersSV: C'est un des sites les plus fascinants du Laos: la Plaine des Jarres. Ses immenses amphores de pierre (jusqu'à 3m de ht) rép…

Mar 12, 2021 · 1 share · 2,290 followers View post →
Les Cahiers de S&V
@CahiersSV · X

C'est un des sites les plus fascinants du Laos: la Plaine des Jarres. Ses immenses amphores de pierre (jusqu'à 3m de ht) réparties sur plusieurs sites restent largement énigmatiques, moins de 10% d'entre elles ayant été étudiées (guerre, etc.)... https://t.co/aDb4ZoCnvu https://t.co/yBjjVCkfZm

Mar 12, 2021 · 3 likes · 1 share · 1,047 followers View post →
Mordicus
@Mordicus15 · X

RT @seaarch: via PLoS One, 10 March 2021: A exciting new paper by Shewan et al. dates the Plain of Jars to as early as the late second mill…

Mar 11, 2021 · 3 shares · 173 followers View post →
EFEO
@EFEO_Paris · X

RT @seaarch: via PLoS One, 10 March 2021: A exciting new paper by Shewan et al. dates the Plain of Jars to as early as the late second mill…

Mar 11, 2021 · 3 shares · 1,867 followers View post →
Southeast Asian Archaeology
@seaarch · X

via PLoS One, 10 March 2021: A exciting new paper by Shewan et al. dates the Plain of Jars to as early as the late second millennium BC, while the associated burials to a more fairly recent 9-13th centuries CE. https://t.co/abixIaijco

Mar 10, 2021 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 3,307 followers View post →
Shewan... - Institute for Southeast Asian Archaeology - ISEAA ...
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... journals.plos. org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone. 0247167 . They state "Until now, it has not been possible to estimate when the jars were first ...

Dec 14, 2025 View →
Mysterious Pals - Facebook
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e0247167, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247167 ‌UNESCO World Heritage Centre. “Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang – Plain of Jars.” Unesco.org ...

Dec 14, 2025 View →
Lao Archaeology
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... journals.plos. org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone. 0247167 . They state "Until now, it has not been possible to estimate when the jars were first ...

Dec 14, 2025 View →
Laos jars are slowly revealing their secrets
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DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247167. Journal information: PLoS ONE. Provided by University of Melbourne. + Explore further. Researchers solve ...

Apr 16, 2021 View →
The mystery of Plain of Jars solved
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Dating the megalithic culture of laos: Radiocarbon optically stimulated luminescence and U/Pb zircon results. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247167.

Mar 11, 2021 View →
Researchers solve more of the mystery of Laos megalithic jars ...
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PLOS ONE, 2021; 16 (3): e0247167 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247167. Cite This Page: MLA; APA; Chicago. University of Melbourne. "Researchers ...

Mar 11, 2021 View →