Sema Ancient City: A Cultural, Religious, and Commercial Center in the Upper Mun River Basin

The ancient city of Sema, located in the upper Mun River basin of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, was a prominent Dvaravati cultural center from the 6th to the 11th century CE. Archaeological remains including religious structures, a large reclining Buddha image in Dvaravati style, and key inscriptions such as the Bo-E-Ka and Śrī Canasa inscriptions highlight the city’s multifaceted role in Mahāyāna Buddhism, Hindu-Brahmanic practices, and Khmer influence. This article explores the historical, geographic, and cultural dimensions of Sema, its integration into Southeast Asian trade networks, and its evolving sociopolitical significance across centuries in Northeastern Thailand.