Talk:Plain of Jars

The Origin of the Jars

For the information of whever wrote the highly biased conclusion to this article, Wikipedia does not exist to further anyone's particular opinionor interpretation of events. In case you hadn't figured it out,this extends even to seemingly innocuous issues likes archaeological theories regarding the origin of large stone jars. I am rewritting this section to include a fair treatment of the theory you every so clearly advocate, but i would like to ask you in the future to keep you writtings in the forum to fair and informational expository pieces, not attempts to convert people to your particular opinion or deride those of others. Zinnling 20:43 UTC 9 Jan 2005

See responses below

Conclusion is factual

The conclusion of the article is not highly biased or an interpretation.(I assume your talking of the references to bombings and the "Secret War") I have been there first hand, and nobody! ignores the signs, if they do then they're dead, theres only about 6-7 yards of cleared path on which it is safe to walk. Every last detail in the conclusion of the article is completely factual and unbiased, not to mention relevant. I have a map of bomb sites in relation to the jars (made by the mines advisory group)and UXO covers so much of it that the individual dots to signify explosives are all blurred into solid colour in some areas. Every shop and hotel has large educational posters outlining the differing types of bombs and warning for children. The Mines Advisory Group have estimated another 100 years before Laos is bomb free. I think im right in saying Laos is the most bombed courty on earth. AAaaaannnyway, the plain of jars is the most bombed part of a country destroyed by bombs, so you have to accept expect bombs to be mentioned, you cant really avoid the topic in any way. The whole region surrounding Phonsavan is bombs, bombs bombs. Other tourist "attractions" include the fields of bomb craters, of which i have many photos of myself standing in.(sweating prefusely) seymourbigman

I have to agree. I've traveled extensively in Laos and Cambodia, and there's no secret about the fact that one of the greatest hazards in these countries is unexploded U.S. munitions. I see lots of people every day with missing limbs, and tourists are warned not to stray off well-marked paths or risk being blown up. It's a real problem in these two countries.

I also have travelled extensively and intensively in Laos and Cambodia. I concur with the two people above - unexploded US bombs are a major hazard in this part of the world. All tourists visiting places including the Plain of Jars are warned about unexploded American bombs. Even Angkor has some places where tourists are warned not to walk.

Weights and measures

"They can weight up to 14 tons (more than 6 metric tons)" A metric ton is a "tonne" and 14 ton is about 15 tonne, not 6!

Yes, and we should probably use metric as standard, since Laos (and indeed nearly the entire world except for two countries) uses metric. I'll make the changes now... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.143.76.26 (talk) 23:02, 3 April 2009 (UTC)

Whoever wrote this needs better facts.

Xieng Khoung was the province, not the town. Long Cheng was the town/village. I wondered what the place was called! It was a little while out of Phonsavan

Geotagging Plain of Jars

I noticed there was no geotagging at the top of the article. I don't know the ropes of adding linkable coordinates, but if someone else feels up to it, these are the coordinates for Site 1:

19°25'49.48"N, 103° 9'18.01"E

If someone feels up to adding these to the article using appropriate templates, feel free to do so!

Wilma Sweden (talk) 19:39, 22 June 2008 (UTC)

Shooting at the Moon

The Plain of Jars was introduced to me by a book called Shooting at the Moon by Roger Warner. It is quite a great piece of literature. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Area51 director (talk • contribs) 00:30, 24 August 2008 (UTC)

Ethnicity ?

The plain statement they were Mon-Khmer is removed. There were Mon-Khmer, Malayo-Polynesian and other communities in ancient Laos. At the moment, it seems not clear who the people were.

A. Post-Muller (talk) 13:29, 9 January 2009 (UTC)

UXO Lao

The information about UXO Lao seems weird, and contrary to what I've read at the website and the UNDP website. Perhaps the statements made could be cited. UXO Laos website - http://www.uxolao.org/uxolao%20partners.html UNDP Crisis Prevention and Recovery in Laos - http://www.undplao.org/whatwedo/crisisprev.php ~ Luminece —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.83.120.11 (talk) 13:00, 21 April 2009 (UTC)