LATE STONE AGE COMMUNITIES IN THE THAI-MALAY PENINSULA

The paper presents the results from archaeological surveys carried out in Songkhla and Phattalung Provinces, Thai-Malay Peninsula. The purpose of the survey was to evaluate the potential of selected areas for further study, and to contribute to the understanding of the Late Stone Age and early agricultural development in the area. Specific emphasis is put on evaluating the archaeological survey methodology employed during the survey, which was based on community involvement. The results from the survey are presented and discussed in terms of the prevailing discourse on agricultural development during the Late Stone Age. A review of the archaeology of the Thai-Malay Peninsula is given as a background. On the basis of more recent environmental and archaeological data, it is argued that the conventional model on agricultural development in the region needs to be reevaluated. Further, indigenous communities are suggested to have played a more significant role in the regional agricultural development than previously thought.