Information about Environmental Change

derived from Teak Log Coffins

Nathsuda Pumijumnong Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies Mahidol

University

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Outline;

IntroductionStudy areaMethodsAnalysisResultsConclusion

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IntroductionThere has been a long history of

archaeological study in Thailand. However, there is little information about the old material of archaeological sites or related materials of ancient people that made of wood including ones that made of teak.

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We found numerous log coffins in dry caves at Pang Ma Pha District, Mae Hong Son Province, made of teak wood, which is well known worldwide in terms of texture, color and specific duration of wood. This finding led our multidisciplinary team to explore whether these log coffins would reveal the log coffin culture, its people and the environmental status of that time.

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Study areaWe focused on three watersheds: Lang,

Kong and Pong San Pik. These watersheds are in the Pang Ma Pha District in Mae Hong Son Province, where many caves and rock shelters are scattered (Figure 1). We collected wood samples from 18 selected caverns: 10 caverns in the Lang watershed, 6 caverns in the Kong watershed and 2 caverns in the Pong San Pik watershed (Table 1). These caverns were recorded by the first survey in an area with the most log coffins.19092011/ / 5

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Materials and Methods

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Results

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results

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Conclusion:

Described as using teak log coffins since 2600 BP, the Pang Ma Pha District was covered with fertile land, including wildlife. Floods occurred during the rainy season, with cold in the winter season and the dry season.

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Considering the previous environment in northern Thailand, especially at Pang Ma Pha, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand's climate 4,000-5,000 years ago was slightly colder than at present.

The forest cover was dense, and the rainfall amount was substantial. The abundant forests acted as habitats that promote the diversity of wildlife.

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The society's log coffin culture was extensive. These communities settled close to each other, and they tried to find as much open space as possible (dense forest is dangerous due to wildlife).

Settlement in one area over long periods of time resulted in limited agricultural area.

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Hunting may have been dominant, so they may have moved to other areas. Natural disasters, such as flash floods, disease outbreaks and insect-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever, may also have caused migration,

When people migrate, they bring their cultural beliefs, especially their burial ceremonies.