Abstract
This paper presents results of recent archaeological research in the eastern margin of central Thailand, where the majority of the area comprises of highland and terraces and little archaeological research has been previously done. Temporal focus of the paper is on the time period ranging approximately from 1000 B.C. to A.D. 1200, covering the Late Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and the Proto-historic period namely Dvaravati Period. This paper principally discusses the cultural evolution of ancient communities in the area in the context of settlement pattern, craft production, trade network, and subsistence strategy.
Introduction
The eastern margin of central Thailand, where the majority of the area comprises of highland and terraces, is relatively little known archaeologically due partly to the lack of intensive and extensive research. By and large, previous research in the area basically involves limited survey and test excavation with no consequent detailed analysis and studies (see Ho 1992). This paper is an attempt to pursue what had been done archaeologically in the area. Main focus of this paper is on a multi-phase site of Sab Champa.