Ban Chiang is a village/mortuary site in the province of Udon Thani in northern northeastern Thailand, known for its beautiful pottery and intriguing bronze artifacts. This extraordinary site was among the first to establish not only the existence of a previously unknown prehistoric culture, but also of a distinctive bronze age in Southeast Asia.

LEARN ABOUT THE BAN CHIANG PROJECT

Background

“Oops, I tripped!” And so begins the story of how one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in Southeast Asia came to the world’s attention.

Current Work

Our new Metals monograph will apply current archaeological perspectives to interpret metals and metals related evidence from Ban Chiang and related sites.

Publications

Read the latest research and publications from ISEAA scholars about Ban Chiang and Southeast Asian archaeology.

Excavation Finds

Ban Chiang is known for its beautiful pottery, but there are many types of artifacts that came from the site.

Archives

Access the latest updates on Ban Chiang from the ISEAA newsletter, with articles and photos about Project research, profiles of the staff and volunteers, and announcements.

TOPICS OF INTEREST

BAN CHIANG

TOPICS OF INTEREST

Detailed Skeletal Analysis

Detailed Skeletal Analysis

Detailed analysis of Ban Chiang skeletal remains has given us a treasure-trove of information about prehistoric life in the region around Ban Chiang.

Chronology

Chronology

Dating the Ban Chiang cultural tradition has been the subject of controversy and scholarly debate for more than forty years since the 1974 & 1975 excavations.

Residential Burials

Residential Burials

Although Ban Chiang and similar sites in Thailand have been called “cemeteries” for many years, this interpretation has recently been revised.

A Distinctive Bronze Age

A Distinctive Bronze Age

The Ban Chiang excavations revealed a society with distinct differences from the “Bronze Age” society most archaeologists expected.

BAN CHIANG

OPERATION ANTIQUITY

Ban Chiang made news in 2008 when a 5-year undercover investigation culminated in raids on four southern California museums and a private collector in Chicago to recover looted artifacts.

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ISEAA is a program partner of the Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC), a nonprofit 501c3 entity. UAC administers funds raised by ISEAA, thus freeing us to focus on research and publication.