Description
Phu Pha Yon National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติภูผายล) in Sakon Nakhon is home to ancient rock carvings (ภาพสลักลาย) which were created during the pre-historic period, around 3,500 years ago. When villagers settled in the area around 200-250 years ago, they thought the carvings (or petroglyphs) were made by ghosts or demons. Then rumors spread that the carvings revealed the location of a treasure, and some areas around the cliff were dug up and the cave chipped into.
Eventually, the treasure hypothesis was abandoned and the ancient archeological rock carvings became a local tourist attraction, and the temple Wat Tham Phu Pha Yon (วัดถ้ำภูผายล) built nearby. Archaeologists believe the carvings were created by engraving the rock surface with metal rods, much like the ancient petroglyphs at the famous Ban Chiang archaeological site in the neighboring province of Udon Thani.
The symbols seen at the Phu Pha Yon archeological site are similar in shape to the prehistoric symbols found in countries such as China and India. These include genitalia symbols, which are believed to represent fertility and were worshiped in the same way as in ancient religions such as Hinduism. There are also simple shapes of people and buffaloes among the petroglyphs, which reflect the relationship this pre-historic society had with agriculture and farming.
Phu Pha Yon's elevated location in the Phu Phan Mountains of Sakon Nakhon suggest that this archeological site was a sacred place for the ancient people who lived here, just as Phra That Phu Phek in Sakon Nakhon was considered a sacred summit for the ancient Khmer civilization that had settled in the region.
Many years ago, the villagers had called the "Phu Pha Yon" cave "Tham Pha Lai" (ถ้ำผาลาย), which translates to the striped cliff cave. The name eventually was changed to Phu Pha Yon (or Sacred Mountain) due to the many stories and legends that suggest this mountainside is indeed sacred and should be treated with the greatest respect. Monks on the mountain say they often hear unusual drumming sounds and other noises late at night, and criminals who have tried to hide in the forests have been stricken with strange illnesses.
The Phu Pha Yon Petroglyphs are located a little over an hour from downtown Sakon Nakhon, and about 35 minutes West of the Chateau De Phu Phan Winery, in the Tao Ngoi District, which is home to the famous sacred turtle Praya Tao Ngoi. We went on a Saturday and had the entire mountain to ourselves, so you'll likely be able to enjoy this Thailand archaeological site in complete peace, without any other tourists around.
