Anthracological Investigation of Forest Management Practices at Three Bronze Age Sites in Central Thailand

Summary

This is an abstract from the "The Social and Environmental Context for Early Metalworking in Central Thailand" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Anthracological examinations of charred wood remains associated with the excavations

from the Thailand Archaeometallurgy Project (TAP) provide valuable insights into

ecological management strategies in the region. Excavations at Non Pa Wai (NPW), Nil

Kham Haeng (NKH) and Non Mak La (NML) have produced abundant samples of

charred woody materials that are above 4mm, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of

wood used at these copper production sites. Through the identification and

quantification of woody taxa in these assemblages, this presentation offers a descriptive

overview of ecological management practices in relation to the productive activity

associated with these sites. Furthermore, this analysis of woody taxa also contributes to

questions surrounding fuel preference, long term environmental effects of

anthropogenic activity, extensive versus intensive exploitation of forest resources and

long-term forest management. The abundance of dipterocarp taxa speaks to the

exploitation of primary forest contexts coinciding with periods of intensive copper

production across these sites. For example, this paper constitutes an initial overview of

the abundance and presence of woody taxa in relation to the stratigraphy and dating of

these sites. Further research will integrate carpological and isotopic data with the wood

charcoal to refine the initial conclusions drawn from this anthracological study.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)   •
• The Social and Environmental Context for Early Metalworking in Central Thailand

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 51469