• That’s a wrap for today! Learning how to systematically document a rock art site, from theory to practice. Some more data gathering tomorrow, and then putting all the information in the data after! #paklai #rockart #mekong #xayabouli #nuol #laosarchaeology #southeastasianarchaeology #laos
  • Last post of the year - looking back in the year that was archaeology in Southeast Asia in 2022. Check out the full post here: https://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/2022/12/16/southeast-asian-archaeology-2022-year-in-review/

And see you in the new year! Best wishes to all for the holiday season!

#southeastasianarchaeology #southeastasianarchaeology2022 #recap
  • Last month I was at the Si Thep Historical Park in Phetchabun province - a less-known archaeological site, but an impressive one considering the ancient town has remnants dating from prehistoric times until the 13th century CE. Khao Klang Nok is a massive Buddhist stupa dating to the 8th or 9th centuries CE, located outside of the ancient town of Si Thep. I was able to get som cool shots from my drone, check out my post here: https://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/2022/12/15/drone-flight-over-khao-klang-nok-si-thep-historical-park/

#khaoklangnok #sithephistoricalpark #phetchabun #drone #dronestagram #dvaravati #khmer #thaiarchaeology #southeastasianarchaeology #southeastasia #อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์ศรีเทพ #เพชรบูรณ์ #archaeology
  • Extended edit from Khao Klang Nok in Si Thep Historical Park, very grateful for the permission to take some shots for the @seameospafa post-#ippa2022 excursion.
  • Ending the second day of the @seameospafa #ippa2022 post-conference excursion on a high note - literally. Khao Klang Nok at the Si Thep Historical Park #southeastasianarchaeology #sithephistoricalpark #khaoklangnok
  • Terracotta elephant statue from the pre-Thang Long period, approximately 8-10th century. On display at the museum under the National Assembly Building in Hanoi. #vietnamarchaeology #southeastasianarchaeology #vietnam #hanoi #thanglong #terracotta #elephant #ceramics #ancientart
  • Earlier this week there was a news article about a Thai archaeologist’s attempt to repatriate a statue that was reportedly looted from Buriram province and now on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
https://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/2022/07/08/thai-archaeologist-on-mission-to-reclaim-ancient-khmer-sculpture-from-us/

This is the so-called Golden Boy, taken at the Met last December. The label calls it a Standing Shiva(?) and attributes it to the Cambodia, Siem Reap origin but it may be in fact a representation of Jayavarman Vi. You can see the museum info here: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/39097?ft=khmer&offset=0&rpp=40&pos=3

#khmer #sculpture #looting #antiquitiestrade #themet #metropolitanmuseumofart #khmerarchaeology #thaiarchaeology #southeastasianarchaeology #southeastasia #museums #repatriation #angkor #cambodia #thailand #buriram
  • What’s in your field kit? Here’s what’s in mine: https://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/2022/07/04/whats-in-my-archaeology-field-kit-june-2022/ #fieldwork #fieldgear #camera #drone #archaeology #photography #videography
  • Last month I received the latest publication from the Getty Conservation Institute entitled Networking for Rock Art, focusing on public engagement. I have a small contribution very aptly named “Leave a Like and Subscribe” 😅 You can download a copy here: https://www.getty.edu/conservation/publications_resources/pdf_publications/networking_for_rock_art.html#:~:text=Networking%20for%20Rock%20Art&text=This%20volume%20by%20the%20Rock,are%20addressed%20through%20local%20action. #rockart #publicarchaeology #communityarchaeology #southeastasianarchaeology #freebook #book #gettyconservationinstitute
  • A cocktail is an unlikely candidate for an archaeology-based feed, but it turns out that the iconic Singapore Sling of the Long Bar at @raffleshotelsingapore  was a favourite of Dutch prehistorian van Stein Callenfels. No doubt, lithics work makes one thirsty. #singaporesling #rafffleshotel #longbar #indonesianarchaeology #malaysianarchaeology #singaporearchaeology #pietervansteincallenfels #southeastasianarchaeology #travelsingapore #visitsingapore #singaporetourism #singapore #cocktails
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For those who haven’t tried it, the Singapore Sling is essentially a boozy fruit punch. It was also designed for the ladies but I guess that didn’t stop Ivan the Terrible!
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
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Home » Malaysia » Iron smelting, temples and other characteristics of 'civilization'

Iron smelting, temples and other characteristics of 'civilization'

March 9, 2009
in Malaysia
Tags: Bujang Valleyiron (metal)Kedah (state)Metallurgysmelting furnace
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After a few days of news about the so-called “pre-Angkor” civilisation at the Bujang Valley, I was pleasantly surprised to read the AP’s (a notably non-local media organisation) focus on the iron-smelting discovery. There is an interesting question as to whether the remains that dot the valley really constitute as a ‘civilisation’ or not. What we do know is that the area seems to have been inhabited from the 3rd or 4th century right up to the 11th or 12th century. There are two main theories about the Bujang Valley settlement: was it was an outpost for Indian traders, who made a settlement there to stay for up to half a year while waiting for the monsoon winds to bring them back to India? Another theory is that the settlement was indigenous, and was gradually ‘Indianized’ from contacts with Indian traders – hopefully archaeological evidence can uncover which condition is true.

Our main source of archaeological information is from the ruins themselves, most of which appear to be remains of Buddhist stupas or Hindu temples with votive offerings; the tropical climate and frequent floods mean that there is little chance for human and other organic remains will be found. I am skeptical about the identification of one of the newly unearthed buildings as a house because houses in this region tend to be made from wood rather than stone. (Note: While affiliated with the Global Centre for Archaeological Research, I am not involved with this excavation in any way.)

One more note about iron smelting in Southeast Asia – the earliest evidence for such is around 1,500 BCE in the mainland, but the ranges of dates from the region go to as late as 500 CE. It does look as if the technology for metalworking diffused out from the mainland, probably from the north to south.

Malaysian dig reveals ancient people mastered iron
AP, via International Herald Tribune, 06 March 2009

Other than the Hindu and Buddhist temples that have been uncovered, little is known about the people of the Bujang Valley. There is even debate over whether they were an actual civilization.

Harry Truman Simanjuntak, a researcher at the National Research Center of Archaeology in Jakarta who was not involved in the dig, said the dating of the iron smelt to the third or fourth century appears reasonable.

But he cautioned that more evidence must be unearthed before concluding the Bunjang Valley people were an actual civilization, defined by complex hierarchical social and other structures.

“It’s too early to say it is a civilization,” he said.

Mokhtar argues the Bujang people are a civilization because temples imply a social structure.


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Comments 3

  1. Nicky says:
    14 years ago

    i read that one too when it first came out. I wonder how and why AP gets Prof Truman Simanjuntak to comment all the time. I remember the AP article on the 1.83 million year old handaxe, in which Prof Simajuntak was quite skeptical too.

    It’s good though. To get a different view. Just wondering why it is that we only hear from Prof Simajuntak again and again in AP. what do other scholars think?

  2. noelbynature says:
    14 years ago

    It’s probably a function of how the media works. Most reporters keep a list of experts who they can refer to – and comment on the archaeological news of the hour. It looks like Prof Truman is their go-to expert for anything archaeology in the Malay world.

  3. Nemi says:
    14 years ago

    This is so exciting! Thanks for sharing the news, Noel!

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