ARCHAEOLOGY OF THAILAND: HISTORY OF RESEARCH, TOPICS FOR DISCUSSIONS
Abstract
Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, has been attracting the attention of archaeologists for many years. Archaeology in Thailand began to develop as a scientific discipline in the second half of the 20th century. Initially, attention was focused on the study of historical sites, but since the 1960-s, research into more ancient sites has intensified and the first archaeological expeditions were conducted. Specialists from various countries, including Great Britain, the United States, France, Denmark, and Italy, participate in joint projects with Thai archaeologists. Collaborative projects with foreign researchers have helped to broaden the understanding of the region. Questions related to the emergence of cultural differences and the development of certain technological practices continue to provoke debate. Over the years, a number of controversial topics have emerged in the archaeological literature, including the current state of the Movius Line as it relates to Thailand, the process of Neolithization in Thailand, the distribution of pottery-making, the emergence of metallurgy, and the identification of megalithic structures.
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