A Research on Suvoilnbhfrmi in Lower Myanmar*

* San Win Assistant Director (Retired) Department Historical Research Ministry of Culture, Myanmar

Abstract This presentation deals with the reporting of a preliminary survey on SuvannabhAmi,located in Thaton District, Mon State of Lower Myanmar. The ancient city, known as a capital of old Mon Kingdom before Bagan period of 11th century in Lower Myanmar, is situated in the respective sites namely Thaton, Winka, Kyaikkatha and Zokthok. They all are walled and moated sties with many unexcavated archaeological mounds of ancient character. Some of them are under survey and a few mounds are also under excavation such as Winka, Kyaikkatha and Thaton. The ancient walls, structures and pagodas are still visible in present Thaton, home to Theravada Buddhism. Remains of old Thaton are clustered around the mouth of the Sittaung River, the apex of the Gulf of Muttama(Martaban). During 1970s U Aung Myint of forest Department, discovered Kyaikkatha, Taikkala, Zokthok, Thaton, Sampannago and some small scale sites- Kawhtin, Leikkhon, Muthin, Zwegala, Mayangon, Kadaik on this area. An excavation team headed by U Myint Aung made a survey at Ayetthama and Winka in 1974-78. He excavated six brick structures WK-1 - WK-6 at Winka. A number of stone implements, beads, laterite lion heads and floral designs, terracotta figures, silver coins and pottery vessels are reported at Winka. Another attempt continued at Winka in 2013-14 open season and four brick mounds wK-7, wK-8, wK-9 and WKTG-1 exposing two brick structures and two brick and stone walls on the mountain side. The walls and brick structures are associated with finger marked bricks and provide the documentation of the proto-historic period in Lower Myanmar. Future research may come up with new ideas and interpretation that will lead to a better understanding of the existence of Suvanmbhlmi and a history of old Thaton.