Presenter: Sambath Eat
Faculty Mentor: William Ayres
Presentation Type: Poster 11
Primary Research Area: Social Science
Major: Asian Studies
The late Pleistocene-early Holocene transition in Southeast Asia saw shifts from hunting-gathering towards food management and systematic food production. Archaeological discovery of the Hoabinhian-type stone tools dated to 10,000 BP in northern Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Burma document this early transition. Rock shelters were important sites for these early hunter-gatherers that represent crucial sites for early archaeological evidence of prehistoric occupants. I examine pot sherds that were excavated from Tham Din limestone cave near Pattani, Southern Thailand. I assess the different sherd types for patterned change in size, color, texture, design, and other characteristics. The analysis demonstrates chronological patterns pointing to a long period of stability in pottery production followed by introduction of new ideas about pottery manufacture and decoration within the last 2000 to 3000 years. Present-day local pottery production reflects the persistence of traditional methods as well as the incorporation of new ideas. Which may related to the population incursions include the movement of the Austronesian speakers some 3000 to 3500 years ago and, following that, the introduction of Hinduism and Buddhism from South Asia. It is through this close examination of pottery remains that we can demonstrate the long-term importance of trade in this area and ultimately shed light on how early multi-ethnic communities in Southeast Asia were developed.