This study aims to understand the general health status of the population, the difference in health status between sexes within the population group and also the difference between the other groups in Northeast Thailand. This health status of the population is investigated from the human remains about 305 skeletons which were uncovered from the secondary jar burials at Non Pacha Kao archaeological site, Ban Krabueang, Bua Yai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The absolute and relative dating for these remains is approximately 1,000-2,500 BP which spans straight to from the Late Prehistoric to the Early Historic period of Thailand. This study is based on the macro examination using four health indicator groups i.e. (1) palaeodemographic data, (2) oral health status, (3) signs of malnutrition and metabolic lesions, (4) signs of degenerative joint and bone trauma.

The results suggest that the Non Pacha Kao population had good health based on low infant and childhood mortality rate and a high proportion of individuals who survived to at least 5 years to over 20 years of age but with low fertility. The population had relatively good nutrition in childhood but had a high prevalence of oral lesions both periodontitis and antemortem tooth loss, and high degenerative joint diseases at shoulders, knees and hips joints. Within the population group, the males had more oral health problems than females. Using linear enamel hypoplasia as an indicator of malnutrition in early childhood, there was no sign of malnutrition in males. These two results could suggest the difference in cultural practices either food consumption and oral hygienic behavior or gender inequality in their community. In comparison with others prehistoric groups in the Mun Valley region, this group had better overall health profiles indicated by lower infant and childhood mortality rate and good nutrition in early childhood but with higher oral health problems. In contrast with the predictive results that the population will have poorer health with more complex society and intensive agriculture.