Villagers were surprised when they unearthed ancient bowls buried in an abandoned car park in Thailand.

Amateur treasure hunters Prite Pomnua and his friends started digging up the plot of land after their detectors started vibrating near his home in Phitsanulok province on June 4.

Excited at the prospect of discovering valuable relics, the group clawed their way through the dirt and reportedly found a large pot caked in mud.

They took the object home and washed it down, seeing that it contained other items inside.

They lifted up the lid and found stacks of what appeared to be ceramic tableware stored within. The bowls were white and adorned with blue geometric patterns.

It is unclear how long they were buried underground.

Prite said: 'I'm very lucky to find the pot in the village itself. I will inform local authorities and search for more in the area.'