Lao and Assam jar sites: A landscape archaeology perspective.

Abstract

The megalithic jar sites of Laos and Assam remain largely under-researched. While Colani led major archaeological investigations in Laos during the 1930's, further research in the country has been limited. In Assam, research on the megalithic sites has been almost non-existent aside from some minor surveys during the early 1900's by Mills and Hutton. Archaeological investigations by these scholars have primarily focused on the function of the sites as prehistoric burials. However, little research has focused on the people who made the jars; motivating factors associated with site selection; and if links exist between Lao and Assam jar sites. Recently, scholars such as Thakuria, Jameer, Luangkhoth, O'Reilly and Shewan have launched archaeological research projects in Laos and Assam seeking to answer many of these questions. This thesis complements their research from a landscape archaeology perspective, investigating site location to determine motivating factors for site selection in order to develop an understanding of the people that made the jars.

To explore site placement, the author first conducted field surveys in Laos and Assam to confirm and locate jar sites. At each site, primary spatial data was obtained and applied in geographical information systems to discern patterns. This included the analysis of the sites' viewsheds, least cost paths, topography, spatial distribution, slope, aspect and proximity to watercourses. Interpretation of the results suggests that in both Laos and Assam, visibility, elevation and topographical prominence influenced jar site positioning. Additionally, this thesis identifies that the Lao jar builders were not inhibited by transportation costs, with evidence demonstrating their ability to gather the resources required to move such large megaliths through the landscape often through difficult terrain. Finally, the preliminary comparison between the siting of Assam and Lao jars in the landscape, suggests that these two cultures may have been related in some way with potentially similar cultural, political and ritual values and considerations at play. Show more