Metallurgical traditions and metal exchange networks in late prehistoric central Myanmar, c. 1000 BC to c. AD 500

Abstract

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A first absolute chronology for Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age Myanmar: new AMS14C dates from Nyaung'gan and Oakaie

“…From the very outset of central Myanmar's Bronze Age, copper and bronze artefacts with lead isotope signatures consistent with copper production at Non Pa Wai in central Thailand and the Vilabouly Complex in central Laos were appearing in Nyaung'gan/Oakaie area deposits. This is in addition to as yet unidentified sources that do not correspond to the Monywa mineralisation (Pryce et al 2017). This implies that the exchange networks necessary for the transport of copper-base raw materials or finished products to central Myanmar over more than 1000 geodesic kilometres, and thus far longer following suitable river valleys, mountain passes or coastal routes, were active within several generations of the Thai Bronze Age transition, if indeed they were not already active for other materials or population movements.…”

“…Lithics were present as finished and near-finished adzes, beads, bracelets, grindstones and hammer stones, as well as related debitage. A single bloated and vitrified copper-stained crucible fragment was found in the first layer (Pryce et al 2017). The third layer consisted of a lighter brown matrix that contained similar but fewer features and material than the second cultural layer, except for the complete absence of copper-base artefacts.…”

“…The upper layer, approximately 100mm thick, was highly disturbed and yielded a single leaded-copper arrowhead or spearhead. While its context is not secure, we have assumed, based on the absence of later period sites in the area, that it does relate to the Bronze Age cemetery (Pryce et al 2017). A highly disturbed burial—S5—was found in NYG3 just below the current ground surface in the western part of the excavation.…”

A prehistoric copper-production centre in central Thailand: its dating and wider implications

“…Furthermore, recent dates from northern-central Myanmar (Pryce et al . 2018a & b) and central and northern Laos (Pryce & Cadet 2018; Cadet et al . 2019) also provide radiometric dates of c. eleventh/tenth century BC, at the transition to the Bronze Age.…”

“…This technology appears, however, to have arrived only partially developed in central Thailand with competent early foundry work, but rudimentary primary smelting techniques in evidence at Non Pa Wai are supported, in part, by lead isotope analysis (Pryce et al . 2010, 2014, 2018a & b).…”