Thai artefacts

Press, 2 February 1982, Page 4

Thai artefacts

PA Wellington Proof that a sophisticated civilisation once existed . in South-East Asia could be .contained in 30i crates of artefacts from Thailand now being unpacked by anthropologists at -.Qtago University. The crates contain remains of 80 burials, pots, jewellery, household utensils, remnants of pole houses; and early bronze artefacts which may date back to 2000 B.C. They are the result of a two-year field survey by Professor Charles Higham and a team of Otago and

i Thai anthropologists in north 1 Thailand. i “Some of our discoveries > show experiments with f metals which is a very modi ern concept,” Professor Hig- - ham said. t ■ “South-East Asia has always been considered a backward country histori- , cally, sandwiched between , India and China, but now we I are finding that this is far. i from the truth. “These artefacts will allow, i us to learn much more about - the environment, economy, i food, and lifestyle of the area in prehistoric days.”