Ancient burial practices emerge from Laos' mysterious Plain of Jars (opens in new tab)

Hundreds of stone jars, some weighing several tons, are scattered across the remote uplands of northern Laos. Despite being researched for nearly a century, their purpose remains uncertain. "Archaeologists generally agree they were used in mortuary rituals, but we don't know how they were exactly used, who made them or how old they are," says Dr. Nicholas Skopal from James Cook University, who co-led the study with the Lao Department of Heritage representative, Souilya Bounxayhip.