3. ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD SCHOOL, Department of Archaeology,
Faculty of Archaeology, Silpakorn University
by Praon Silpanth, Silpakorn University.
The department of archaeology, Faculty of Archaeology, Silpakorn University conducted an annual field school between March 13-31, 2001 at Nong Chik site, Phetchaburi Province, southern Thailand. Over sixty students were trained under the direction of Assistant Professor Rasmi Shoocongdej (Project director), Associate Professor Surapol Natapintu (Excavation director), Ms. Praon Silapanth (Survey director), and staffs including Assistant Professor Patcharee Sarikabutra, Assistant Professor Chatchai Roomson, Assistant Professor Sinchai Krabuangseang, Mrs. Penpan Charoenporn, Mr. Prasopchai Seangprapa, Mr. Damrongpan Infaseang, and Mr Bandit Somprasong.
Nong Chik site is located in Nong Prong sub-district, Khao Yoi District, Petchaburi Province, approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Bangkok. The site consists of a few small mounds scattered in rice fields. The archaeological training included surface and interview survey, mapping, and excavation.
Information gathered from available documents, field survey, and latest excavation indicates that Nong Chik site was probably a stone manufacturing community dated back to the Dvaravati Period (7-11 A.D.). The site yielded a few earthenware sherds, a large amount of roughout of grinding stones, saddle querns, millstones (mullers), a few roughout of stone sculptures, and a numerous sizes of flakes from a manufacturing process. No doubt, this site is opening a new perspective on craft specialization and trade networks during the early historical period of Thailand and Southeast Asia.
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