Terracotta Votive Tablets from Catubhummika Hngak Twin Monastery, Thaton

Abstract

Recent excavations from Stubhummika monastery, Thaton yielded over 2000 terracotta votive tablets, among them 1350 in good condition with others fragments. The study of these finds is based on the style of Buddha and Bodhisattava, decorative elements (stupas, śikhara, parasol and throne). These are compared with the contemporary tablets from Mon State, Śriksetra, Vesali and Bagan, and outside of Myanmar from India, central and peninsular Thailand and west Java to establish a comparative chronology. From this systematic approach, these tablets were divided into three groups: 1) Buddha (seated or standing Buddha, flanked by stupas), 2) Buddha Triad, and 3) Episodes of the Buddha. Their progression shows they are not be earlier than the 8th-9th century CE and not later than the 11th century CE.