Beyond ‘Community Craft Specialisation’ in Prehistoric Mainland Southeast Asian Metallurgy: Copper Smelting Behaviours at Khao Sai On, Nil Kham Haeng, Non Pa Wai, Phromthin Tai, and Tha Kae in Central Thailand

• DOI: 10.1353/asi.2024.a948117
• Publication Date: 2024-12-20T10:06:25Z
• Authors: Mélissa Cadet; T. O. Pryce; Roberto Ciarla; Fiorella Rispoli; Pira Venunan; Thanik Lertcharnrit; Yoshiyuki Iizuka
• Keywords: Mainland; Craft; Copper interconnect

abstract: Archaeology in Lopburi Province has been under long-term development since the 1970s and led to discovery of Khao Wang Prachan Valley (KWPV) as one three currently known primary copper production (mining smelting) sites Southeast Asia. However, 1980s, archaeometallurgical research focused mainly on two Non Pa Wai (NPW) Nil Kham Haeng (NKH), dated from Neolithic (ca. 1800 B.C.) Early Iron Age 2300 B.C.), that are have large sequences archaeological material linked production. Although other with evidence this restricted geographical area, their assemblages not previously subjected archaeometric study. This article discusses results analyses slags Sai On (KSO), Tha Kae (TK), Phromthin Tai (PTT) during Middle-Late Age. Slag analysis reveals different smelting behaviours were occurring at these sites. One heterogeneous behaviour was probably a smaller community practicing metallurgy amongst activities, whilst shows more homogeneous larger settlement. located within 26 km each other, smelters exploiting local deposits around KWPV. The seem support community-based type where geology, technical competence, intensity exploitation.