BOOK REVIEW: LASTEST NEWS FROM THE NORTH – ARCHAEOLOGY OF LANNA

Abstract

From the Pleistocene Ice Age to the Lanna Period is a welcome addition to literature within the genres relating to archaeology and the history of northern Thailand. It should be noted that books of this kind are comparatively scarce and generally inaccessible within the public arena. It was thus especially pleasing that the North Archaeological Centre, who published the book, put in the effort required to help fill this gap. The work is a collection of research articles (organized into six chapters) and three additional appendices. E:ach of the six chapters has its own specific focus which leads to a certain lack of thematic integrity within the book. Broadly speaking, the cultural history and paleogeology of upper northern Thailand is presented, ranging (in time) from the earliest occupation of hominids to the initial urban settlements. New archaeological and geo-archaeological date, as well as reinterpretations of old data, is presented. The book is well illustrated with photos and I'd recommend it for a wide range of readers including professional archaeologists and historians, along with people generally interested in archaeology and I or ancient northern Thai history.