Scientific excavation by the Penn Museum and the Thai Fine Arts Department took place at the site of Ban Chiang in northeast Thailand in 1974 and 1975. These excavations uncovered a thriving and hitherto unknown prehistoric culture dating from 5000 years ago and led to the rewriting of Southeast Asian prehistory. UNESCO inscribed Ban Chiang as a World Heritage Site in 1992. Currently the Museum’s Ban Chiang Project is dedicated to publishing its scientific research on this fascinating ancient culture.
Where
The Metal Age village and mortuary site of Ban Chiang is in the province of Udon Thani in northeastern Thailand.
When
The Ban Chiang Project's studies cover the Inital Period of occupation (? - 2100 BCE) to the Late Period (300 BCE - 200 CE)
Researchers
Joyce White, Penn Museum
Elizabeth Hamilton, Penn Museum
Marie-Claude Boileau, Penn Museum
Additional Sponsors
Henry Luce Foundation
Friends of Ban Chiang
Resources
Visit the Ban Chiang Website
Visit theSoutheast Asian Archaeology Scholarly Website
Watch an interview with Dr. Joyce White by tribaleglobale 
Listen to Joyce White's lecture on Angkor Wat on iTunes UNews
February 26, 2010 - Penn Museum, and Ban Chiang Project, Honored by Thailand's Princess at Formal Opening of New National Museum at Ban Chiang, Thailand
