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Prehistoric Period

Prehistoric Thailand's history dates back as far as 1,000,000 years, based on fossils and stone tools discovered in northern and western regions of the country. In Lampang, northern Thailand, fossils of Homo erectus, known as Lampang Man, dating from 1,000,000 to 500,000 years ago, have been found. Stone tools have been widely uncovered in Kanchanaburi, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Lopburi. Additionally, prehistoric cave paintings in these areas date back approximately 10,000 years.

​The Neolithic, or "New Stone Age," marked a significant technological advancement characterized by the rise of farming, known as the "Neolithic Revolution." This period, which represents the final phase of the Stone Age, transitioned into the Copper Age (Chalcolithic), Bronze Age, or Iron Age, depending on the region.

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In Thailand, Neolithic culture emerged around 9000 BCE in areas such as Mae Hong Son, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Ubon Ratchathani. Recent archaeological findings suggest that rice farming was introduced to central Thailand by migrating rice farming communities around 4000 BCE. These early societies began by utilizing wild cereals, which eventually led to the development of true farming practices. In peninsular Thailand, evidence of rice agriculture dates back to about 2500 BCE. Early Neolithic farming was characterized by a limited range of crops, both wild and domesticated, including betel, beans, peas, nuts, pepper, cucumbers, as well as domesticated cattle and pigs. This period also saw the establishment of permanent or seasonal settlements and the use of pottery.

Stone Age Period

 

Kanchanaburi Province
Lang Kamnan Cave in Muang District, and Wang Bhodi Wang Bhodi in Sai Yok District. Many stone tools have been found in the caves and along the rivers in this region Dating from 4500 to 3000 BCE. 

 

Udon Thani Province
Ban Chiang is an archaeological site in Udon Thani province. Artefacts were found to date back to 4400 BCE dates, without any bronze items, therefore confirming it to be of a Neolithic culture.

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Chonburi Province

 

Khok Phanom Di was populated from 2000 to 1500 BCE. Seven burial sites were identified in the excavation, including 154 graves, yielding abundant archaeological remains, such as fish, crab, hearths, and other artifacts.

 

Songkhla Province
Khao Rakian in Rhattaphum District was was excavated in 1986 by the Fine Arts Department. The cave revealed Neolithic ceramics, stone tools, as well as human skeletal remains.

 

Bronze Age Period

 

The Bronze Age was a period in civilization's development when the most advanced metalworking consisted of techniques for smelting copper and tin from naturally occurring outcroppings of ore, and then alloying those metals to cast bronze. There are claims of an earlier appearance of tin bronze in Thailand from 3000 BCE.

 

Udon Thani
The site of Ban Chiang in northeast Thailand, currently ranks as the earliest known centre of copper and bronze production in Southeast Asia.. Bronze artefacts have been discovered dating to 2100 BCE, evidenced by crucibles and  bronze objects include ornaments, spearheads, axes and adzes, hooks, blades, and little bells. 

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Iron Age Period

The adoption of this material coincided with other changes in some past societies, often including differing agricultural practices, religious beliefs and artistic styles.

Khon Kaen Province
Non Nok Tha is an archaeological site in Phu Wiang District, northeastern Thailand, dating from 1420 to 50 BCE.

 

Lopburi Province
Lopburi Artillery Centre is an archaeological site dating from 1225 to 700 BCE.

 

Kanchanaburi Province
Ong Ba Cave is an archaeological site dating from 310 to 150 BCE. 
Ban Don Ta Phet, is another site dating from 24 BCE to 276 CE. 
Artefacts found in this region point to trade relations with other cultures as far as India and  Vietnam. 

 

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