Plain of Jars
While the origin of the Plain of Jars' people is unknown, the recorded history of Xiangkhouang is interlinked with the Tai Phuan. As an ancient civilization, its prehistory is linked to the enigmatic megalithic stone jars of the Plain of Jars (with prehistoric material dating back to 2000 BCE, with an Iron Age period of 500 BCE and 500–800 CE period dominating the archaeological finds) representing burial grounds. The Tai Phuan or Phuan people are a Buddhist Tai-Lao ethnic group that migrated to Laos from southern China and by the 13th century had formed the independent principality "Muang Phuan" on the Plain of Jars with Xieng Khouang (the contemporary "Muang Khoun") as its capital. They prospered from the overland trade in metals and forest products with India and China. In the mid-14th century, "Muang Phuan" was incorporated into the Lan Xang Kingdom under King Fa Ngum.