S35-4

New Archaeological Discoveries of Coffin Caves in Kayah State, Myanmar

Independent Researcher, Myanmar

In Kayah state, Myanmar, there are many significant archaeological sites but very few have been the subject of archaeological enquiry. Hence, this is one of the most important areas for further study in the archeological fields. This paper presents the first academic research of Cave–Dwellings in Kayah state. Natural caves and tunnels position in some parts of these mountain ranges including coffin caves in Kayah State located in the southern part of plateau. There are a total number of two coffin caves and one rock shelter. These have been explored since 2014 by the local community, but not yet properly documented and excavated. Recently, there was a new coffin cave discovered in Saungkyal village, Moene district in Southern Shan state, the border of Kayah state. This coffin cave called Kyet Cave by the local community, similar to the Kyet cave (Yasuku) in Kayah. Most of the coffins are made of teak wood. This paper focus on the classification of similarities and differences between of coffin sites. It also explores who was buried in the coffins and who stored the coffins in these caves. The coffin caves can tell us about the human past and their tradition, belief and culture of ancient Kayah people.