Before Siam: essays in art and archaeology

Abstract

"The birth of Siam has been traditionally marked by the founding of the great city-states of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya respectively. These civilisations, however, grew out of a rich milieu of cultures and traditions in the region present from as far back as prehistoric times. Whether the Mon Buddhism that flourished during the so-called Dvāravatī period, the architectural heritage of the Khmers or the Brahmanical and Mahāyāna stimuli of the Malay Peninsula, these varied aspects and influences came together to shape what became early Siam and today modern Thailand."--Publisher's description.

Contents

part I. Transitions from late prehistory to early history -- part II. The growing emergence of Indic material culture -- part III. Early Buddhist practices, landscapes and artefacts -- part IV. Later Khmer impetus.