Physical Anthropology in Thailand

The collecting of physical anthropological data of people in the past, by physical anthropologists, physicians, archaeologists, including academics in related fields, from studying skeletal remains at archaeological sites in Thailand and to publish knowledge in any form.

AN ANALYSIS OF PREHISTORIC HUMAN SKELETAL REMAINS OF BAN CHIANG CULTURAL TRADITION FROM BAN KHOK KHON SITE, SAKON NAKHON PROVINCE

Title
AN ANALYSIS OF PREHISTORIC HUMAN SKELETAL REMAINS OF BAN CHIANG CULTURAL TRADITION FROM BAN KHOK KHON SITE, SAKON NAKHON PROVINCE
Author
Boonlop, Korakot
Paper type
Dissertation
Language
Thai
Location
Year
2003
Date report
Published
Graduate School, Silpakorn University
Subjects
Abstract

This research focus on the analysis of prehistoric human skeletal remains excavated from Ban Khok Khon, Sakhon Nakhon Province, NE Thailand. This archaeological site can be labeled as one among the Ban Chiang Cultural Tradition Sites. Standard methodology of physical anthropology was applied to the sample analyzed for this research. Attempt was paid for recording the metrical and non-metrical characteristics as well as traces of pathology existing, if any, on the remains. The comparison of the human skeletons from some Ban Chiang Cultural Tradition sites indicates that there are both the similarity in the common characteristics and the difference of some traits, while the comparison between ancient and modern NE Thais skeletal remains revealed the same result of human skeletons characters. The studies of the human skeletons also lead to some socio-cultural implications concerning the prehistoric population and cultures of the NE Thailand. For example, the present researcher is convinced that the prehistoric population of this site had settled continuously on the same location. The life expectancy of the new born cohort raised up from early to late periods. The pathological findings on the Ban Khok Khon skeletal specimens support the palaeodemography, dental and infracranial pathologies, that the health of ancient population in this area are generally good. There is also evidence of behavioral stress to support that the social structure was probably simple complex society with the division of labors. In addition, there is no incidence of severe trauma to indicate the interpersonal violence or any warfare.

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