Geochemistry of laterite around UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand

Laterite deposits near UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand—likely used for constructing temples and city walls during the Sukhothai Kingdom—exhibit distinct geochemical properties linked to their formation processes. Darker-colored laterites (black, brown, red) contain high concentrations of iron minerals (hematite, goethite, magnetite) with >35 wt.% iron oxide content, indicating strong laterization, while lighter varieties (pink, yellow, white) are dominated by clay minerals and show lower iron content. Analysis suggests these deposits formed in situ from gabbro parent rock under tropical weathering conditions, with mineral composition influenced by water table levels and geological features. The study confirms their suitability as durable building materials, offering new insights for archaeological research.

Waikhamnuan, T., Chawchai, S., & Bissen, R. (2025). Geochemistry of laterite around UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand. Npj Heritage Science, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s40494-025-01645-7