laos

The Hintang Archaeological Landscape encompasses 72 prehistoric locations across a jungle-filled mountain ridge in northeastern Laos. Featuring megalithic structures, these sites contain 1,546 upright standing stones, 153 large stone disks and underground chambers. Although there is little information about who inhabitated these ancient sites, they still remain treasured for their archaeological potential and to the local communities who still use them for rituals.

But about a third of the locations in the Hintang Archaeological Landscape are in need of repairs. The region's weather is eroding the stones at the sites, and looting, unrestricted tourism, and certain road developments are endangering the different locations. Some damage also came during the Vietnam War, leaving unexploded weapons in the area. 

The area is on the World Monument Fund 2010 Monument Watch List.

Images

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 The Wat Phou Temple resembles a traditional Khmer Hindu temple in several respects: it is oriented towards the east, was constructed at the base of a mountain (Phu Kao), and is made primarily of sandstone.  Unlike a traditional Khmer Hindu temple, however, the Wat Phou Temple is unique in that a spring from a nearby cliff is directed into the centre of the temple, bathing a linga continuously.  Several internal and external lintels illustrate mythological scenes involving Vishnu, Krishna, and Kamsa.