Satellite images reveal 'ghost city' under Thailand's urban area

(NLDO) - Beneath the city of Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, there are two hidden "ghost cities" overlapping each other.

According to Heritage Daily, a research team from Chulalongkorn University (Thailand) analyzed a satellite image from the 1950s and discovered traces of a second "ghost city" in the historic center of Nakhon Ratchasima city.

Beneath the modern city of Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand are two overlapping "ghost cities", one of which has long been known, the other has just been identified - Photo: CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY

Nakhon Ratchasima City was built on the foundation of an ancient city of the same name dating back to the reign of King Narai the Great of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351-1767).

Attention focuses on the Takhong Canal in the ancient city of Nakhon Ratchasima, a structure also built by King Narai.

However, satellite imagery reveals a four-sided earthen embankment stretching north, east and west of the Takhong Canal.

Satellite photo taken in 1954 - Photo: - Photo: CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY

This embankment continues below the ruins of the ancient city, suggesting that it was built before Nakhon Ratchasima of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

With an estimated area of about 3.4 ^km2 , the area of this older "ghost city" is twice the size of the ancient city of Nakhon Ratchasima and significantly larger than other earthwork settlements that have been excavated in Thailand.

According to a Chulalongkorn University press release, the ancient embankment is aligned with Chompol Road, the main route that runs through the ruins of the ancient city of Nakhon Ratchasima from Chumphon Gate in the west to Phon Lan Gate in the east.

According to Professor Santi Pailoplee, the main author, the southern embankment of the original "ghost city" may have been utilized by King Narai's government, converting its function into the central route of the ancient city of Nakhon Ratchasima.

The team notes that these are only preliminary findings. To learn more about the scale and remains of this "ghost city", scientists will need to conduct further field surveys.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/anh-ve-tinh-tiet-lo-thanh-pho-ma-duoi-khu-do-thi-thai-lan-196250311092919761.htm