7. GRAEME MASON, Anthropology Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, new Zealand:
I am currently finishing the second, and last, portion of the shells from Khok Phanom Di. These are the micromolluscs (about 50 species) which are producing an Environmental picture similar to that painted by the macromolluscs: a coastal settlement. Set in mangal and close to a major estuary.
Two seasons (1991-92) have been spent at the Nong Nor Bronze-bearing site about 15km from Khok Phanom Di and a preliminary analysis made of the shell midden which is overwhelmingly dominated by Meretrix lusoria. The usual molluscan comestibles, arcids (Anadaraspp.) and soft-shore gastropods are present in very minor amounts. However, at this early stage, it would appear than Nong Nor was also on a sheltered, mangal-girt sea coast, but possibly without a major river estuary near at hand. A third season at Nong Nor has been proposed.
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