Korakot Boonlop
Department of Archaeology, Silpakorn University
Longevity can be estimated archaeologically and directly from human skeletal remains. The data from such estimates is potentially applied for understanding history and changing longevity trends among the population in Thailand since the remote past.
This paper aims to present palaeodemographic data from different groups of prehistoric populations in Thailand. Those groups are the prehistoric people from Non Nok Tha, Non Pa Kluai in Khon Kaen, Ban Chiang, Ban Na Di in Udon Thani, Non Prao in Nong Bua Lum Phu, Ban Khok Khon in Sakon Nakhon. These sites are located on the Khorat Plateau in the northeast region of Thailand. In addition to those population groups, Khok Phnom Di in Chon Buri, from the eastern coastal area of the country, is another site that is included.
The palaeodemographic data in this paper is presented as an “abridge life table”. This table is based on numerical data from an estimate of age-at-death of those prehistoric populations. Age-at-death is normally estimated from the archaeological human remains in order to construct a biological and palaeodemographic profile of the past population. An estimate relies on the standard methods and techniques of bioarchaeology and physical biological anthropology. Macroscopic analysis is the main method for such investigation on ancient human skeletons. Extra methods, radiography in particular, are also applied to the investigation in specific cases. A palaeodemographic profile, especially an abridge life table, is a proxy to estimate the quality of life of those ancient populations who settled in the area of present day area of Thailand since approximately 5,000 years before the present.
(Presented in the 2018 Chulalongkorn Asian Heritage Forum : Culture of Longevity, 15-16 August 2018, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Bangkok, organized by Institute of Thai Studies, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Population Studies, Chulalongkorn University)