The site dates back to the 6th or 7th century and was inhabited during the periods of Dvaravati, the Khmer Empire and pre-Ayutthaya Thai culture.

[1] Dong Lek has a 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) perimeter, and is surrounded by an inner and outer set of ramparts and a moat.

[1] There exists four gates (north, east, south, and west) providing access to Dong Lek, with the eastern side being the main entrance and was called Nong Krapor.

Historical site #1, locally called the 'House of Three Stones' (Thai: บ้านหินสามก้อน, romanized: Ban Hin Sam Korn), is a 75 square metres (810 sq ft) brick foundation of what would've been a Buddhist temple or shrine.

The other theory is comes from local culture which states that the name is originated from when villagers who heard Mahori music from the city as if a lakorn (ละคร; "play") was being performed.

[2] On 8 March 1985, the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture registered Dong Lakhon as a National Ancient Site.