On the very border between Laos and Vietnam, there is one of the most mysterious places on the planet - the Valley of the Pitchers. Here, on the territory of the valley, there are more than 60 sites on which ancient jugs are scattered. Their age is approximately one and a half to two thousand years. Many of the jugs weigh more than 6 thousand kilograms and are up to three meters in size. Scientists are still arguing about the purpose of these vessels.
The first thing that baffles researchers is the lack of nearby rocks from which the jugs are made. It is not clear who and why brought these huge stone vessels from afar, and even over mountainous terrain. There are also slabs near the jugs, which, as archaeologists assume, could serve as lids. Also, not that the jugs had lids, evidenced by the fact that many of them have a special edging near the neck. Many teeth, bone tissues, jewelry and fragments of bronze and ceramic items were found inside and near the jugs.
And, of course, like any other landmark that has not yet been found, the valleys have their own legends and stories. The most or less probable version is the use of vessels as urns for the burial of the dead. This is indicated by many facts. Stoves with traces of soot were found nearby - presumably, they were analogues of modern crematoria. And the Valley of Jugs is a local cemetery.
Other scholars speculate that the jugs may also have been a storage place for food or rainwater. This version also has a right to exist, because in jugs, many of which are dug into the ground, water and food could be stored for a long time.
There are also a couple of absolutely fantastic legends. According to one of them, a civilization of giants lived on the site of the present valley. They could not only make, but also drag these heavy stone vessels here, to the foot of the mountain range. According to another version, one of the local kings, after another successful end of hostilities, was so happy with his victory that he ordered these jugs to be made and filled with rice wine.
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There is one more peculiarity associated with the valley - the same jugs were also found in India, Indonesia, Thailand. And they all lie right on the trade routes. In this regard, there is an assumption that just for the needs of tired travelers and their animals such peculiar water reservoirs were scattered. The presence of decorations in this version is explained by the need to arrange rituals and sacrifices on the part of travelers. In this way, they could possibly have influenced the weather and asked heaven for rain - a saving liquid.
Now there are almost no hiking trails, tourists are not taken here, and even the object has not yet been included in the UNESCO List. Although activists are still trying to rectify the situation. The thing is that after the end of the Secret War and the confrontation in Vietnam, many unexploded shells remained on the territory of the Valley of Pitchers. Which explode from time to time - if some naughty tourist neglects the safety rules and advice of local guides. Individual organizations are now working on demining the entire valley.
It is very possible that when it will be possible to come here without the threat of running into a bomb, scientists will still be able to find the answer to this mysterious secret of the past. So far, only 7 safe pitcher sites can be visited, one of which, by a lucky coincidence, has the largest pitcher.