Science & Technology
2,000-Year-Old Gold Rings Discovered at Ancient Thailand Burial Site
14 Jul 2026
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a Level
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Shiny gold rings found in the dirt
b) A chest of silver coins near a river
c) A crown hidden inside an old castle
Ask:
(1) Have you ever found anything hidden in the ground?
(2) Why do people like shiny gold objects?
VOCABULARY
ancient
(adjective)
field
(noun)
dig
(verb)
gold
(noun)
skeleton
(noun)
jewellery
(noun)
From a very long time ago in history.
Example: The team explored an ancient city.
An area of land used for farming or growing food.
Example: The farmers found old objects in a rice field.
To break up and move earth with a tool or hands.
Example: Archaeologists dig in the ground to find history.
A valuable yellow metal used to make beautiful things.
Example: The king wore a heavy ring made of pure gold.
The frame of bones supporting a human or animal body.
Example: They found an old human skeleton in the dirt.
Decorative items like rings or necklaces that people wear.
Example: She loves to wear silver and gold jewellery.
Scientists in western Thailand found something amazing. They were working at an ancient burial site called Don Yai Thong. Local people first found old metal drums in a muddy rice field. Then, experts started to dig in the ground. Last week, they found two old gold rings. The rings were next to human skeletons from long ago. These objects are about 2,000 years old. One gold ring is simple and smooth. The other ring has very old Indian writing on it. The writing says the owner is protected. Experts think the person was a rich trader. They think this because gold was very special. Scientists have found eight skeletons here since February. They also found old pots and bronze jewellery. Many people want to see these beautiful things. The experts will show the gold rings to the public soon.
Listen
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Would you like to be a scientist who digs for old things? Why or why not?
2. What is your favourite piece of jewellery to wear?
3. Why do you think the ancient trader wanted a ring that said they were protected?
4. How do you think the local people felt when they found the old metal drums?
5. If you found an ancient object in your garden, what would you do with it?
6. Why is it important to save old skeletons and pots in a museum
FILL IN THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: ancient, field, dig, gold
Scientists in western Thailand found something amazing. They were working at an _______(1) burial site called Don Yai Thong. Local people first found old metal drums in a muddy rice _______(2). Then, experts started to _______(3) in the ground. Last week, they found two old _______(4) rings. The rings were next to human skeletons from long ago. These objects are about 2,000 years old. One gold ring is simple and smooth. The other ring has very old Indian writing on it. The writing says the owner is protected. Experts think the person was a rich trader. They think this because gold was very special. Scientists have found eight skeletons here since February. They also found old pots and bronze jewellery. Many people want to see these beautiful things. The experts will show the gold rings to the public soon.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is this news story mostly about?
a) How local farmers grow food in Thailand fields
b) Old gold rings and skeletons found by experts in Thailand
c) How people learn to make modern gold jewellery
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
1. The two gold rings are only fifty years old. T/F
2. One of the rings has old writing on it. T/F
3. Local people found the old site after finding metal drums. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
A. Scientists find two gold rings next to human skeletons.
B. Local people find ancient bronze drums in a rice field.
C. Experts start a big excavation project in Phetchaburi.
_______ 2. _______ 3. _______
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. skeleton
2. field
3. dig
4. jewellery
a) To move earth or make a hole in the ground
b) Decorative objects like rings worn on the body
c) A piece of land used for planting crops or farming
d) The structure of bones inside a human body
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
Choose the best word to complete the conversation.
1. Student A: Do you think finding old bones is exciting? Student B: Yes, because it helps us learn about _______(1) history.
a) modern b) ancient c) future d) new
2. Student A: Why did the person have two gold rings? Student B: Maybe they loved beautiful _______(2) very much.
a) cars b) houses c) jewellery d) food
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
1. A) gold B) found C) rings D) they E) two
Unscramble: _______________________________
2. A) site B) very C) is D) this E) ancient
Unscramble: _______________________________
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer: a
Section 1: (1) ancient (2) field (3) dig (4) gold
Section 2: b
Section 3: 1. False 2. True 3. True
Section 4: 1. B 2. C 3. A
Section 5: 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b
Section 6: (1) b (2) c
Section 7:
D-B-E-A-C (They found two gold rings)
D-A-C-B-E (This site is very ancient)
Section 8: Student answers will vary.