Prehistory in Thailand
Tens of thousand years ago, this land was covered with lush tropical rain
forests. The fertile land, temperate climatic conditions, abundent natural
resources attracted early settlers and migrants throughtout the subsequent
periods, even up to the present. Rich cultures amalgamated into distinct life
styles. Emerging out of a thousand years of consciously striving for unity were
the T'ai people. City states soon unified into an independent kingdom. Emergent
also was a distinct culture known as Thai.
Stone tools and implements of prehistoric man dating to the Paleolithic Period
have been found throughout this country. Over 10,000 years ago, man lived near
the waterways in the north and central Thailand. Archaeological evidence of
Neolithic settlements has been discovered in an area covering no less than 40
provinces. They include tools and decorative objects made of flint, bone and
shells. Primitive paintings dating to this period exist in a number of caves.
Metal works, both bronze and iron, appeared almost simultaneously some 2,700
years ago.
A part of prehistory in Thailand has become a subject for intensive study
shedding new light on the evoluation of man in southeast Asia. "Ban Chiang" used
to be the name of a small village in Udonthani Province. Since the discovery
that this modern settlement had been founded on top of an area rich in
prehistoric archaeological evidence, the name has become well known worldwide
and synonymous with an important prehistoric culture.
Ancient Ban Chiang culture existed in scattered areas throughout the
Northeastern region of Thailand. The people lived near watersources in dense
forests. They gradually cleared the forest for settlements, They hunted with
axes, spears, arrows, sling shots and fishing hooks. They cultivated rice in
irrigated paddies and learnt to use buffaloes in farming. They wove cloth out of
natural fibres and might have printed patterns on the fabric by using rollers.
They made and wore decorative ornaments such as glass beads, earthenware amulets
and bronze bangles. They made stylistic pottery which had applied or and painted
decorations both for household use and for ritualistic burial. They became
proficient metal workers quite early in prehiston, and discovered the use of
iron almost contemporaneous with bronze.
The Ban Chiang people believed in the afterlife. They buried the dead
accompanied with personal belongings, perhaps insignia of rank, containers of
food and other burial goods. Theirs was a structured society which existed for
thousands of years until unknown causes disrupted their stable existence. There
is no historical evidence of a direct link with the inhabitants of modern Ban
Chiang. who are said to have migrated into the area from Laos some 200 years
ago. Nevertheless, certain aspects of the contemporary lifestyle indicate some
heritage from the past. However vague this link may be, modern Ban Chiang has
benefited from the fame of the ancient people.