[Talk] The ancient town of Si Thep in Thailand: A crossroads of Indianization

Readers in the London may be interested in this talk by Dr Nicolas Revire at SOAS on the newly-minted Unesco World Heritage Site of Si Thep.

The ancient town of Si Thep, located in the western margin of the Khorat Plateau in northeast Thailand, stands as one of the largest and most enigmatic sites in mainland Southeast Asia, flourishing between the mid-to-late first millennium CE and around the thirteenth century.

Through excavations and archeological surveys spanning decades, the site has unveiled a treasure trove of Hindu‒Buddhist sculptures and important architectural remnants. Moreover, the discovery of numerous ancient inscriptions in Sanskrit, Pali, Chinese, Old Khmer, and possibly Old Mon adds further layers of scholarly interest. Positioned on the outskirts of the Indianized kingdoms of Dvāravatī and Zhenla (later Angkor), Si Thep emerges as a pivotal nexus in the early history of the region, facilitating vibrant cultural exchange networks between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Si Thep continues to captivate scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Source: The ancient town of Si Thep in Thailand: A crossroads of Indianization | SOAS