Prehistoric Thailand: From Early Settlement to Sukhothai [Paperback]

Charles Higham (Author), Rachanie Thosarat (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2001

The authors interweave text and colour illustrations to trace the development of early Thai societies. They show how the early hunter-gatherers of the inland forest and the coastal waters came into contact with the first rice farmers, who expanded south from the middle Yangzi Valley, bringing with them the early Mon language. It was in these village communities, such as Ban Chiang, that the first bronzes were cast. New research into the copper mining area and in Bronze Age cemetries provides an understanding of how bronze was used and how it influenced prehistoric societies. A major change took place in Thailand from about 500 BC, when iron came into use. Chiefdoms developed and trade opened up to ideas and goods from India and China. It was these Iron Age chiefs who laid the foundations for the civilization of Angkor and Dvaravati states which contribute to the origins of the modern kingdoms of Thailand.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: River Books; First Edition edition (January 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9748225305
• ISBN-13: 978-9748225302
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,652,843 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A well illustrated compilation of prehistoric Thailand, January 23, 2000

By 

William Henderson (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prehistoric Thailand: From Early Settlement to Sukhothai (Paperback)

A lavishly illustrated volume which provides a broad overview, for both the professional archaeologist and general reader, of the pre-history of Thailand. Dr. Higham must be commended for spending considerable time and effort to produce this well needed compilation of the many archaeological excavations in Thailand of the past thirty years or so. The archaeology of Southeast Asia is relatively new and has raised many unanswered questions as well as ongoing controversy about the prehistoric origins of present day Thailand. The author quite naturally focuses on his many excavations and presents his views of the data uncovered, and the general reader must be aware, as the author states: "any synthesis of Thai prehistory has a short shelf life...as it should be". Most importantly, the publishers have simultaneously published a Thai language version, no doubt through the efforts of co-author Rachanie Thosarat, thereby being available, and affordable, to Thai students and scholars as a valuable background reference. In modern terms this beautiful book can be described as an "Executive Abstract" for anyone interested in prehistoric Thailand and the state of archaeological investigation in that country.