Paper short abstract:

This paper explores ways Southeast Asian archaeologists can enhance understanding of their metal-related data by applying new theoretical frameworks to excavated evidence.

Paper long abstract:

Application of archaeometric techniques to metals and related evidence from prehistoric sites in Southeast Asia is in its infancy. One result is that sample sizes per site have in most cases been minute although in rare instances, such as Ban Chiang, sample sizes for metallographic and elemental analyses have been more robust and representative. Small sample sizes obscure the key evidence for intrasite and regional variability in technological and economic systems. If our field is to move meaningfully toward the application of life-history approaches to the study of material culture in past economies and the reconstruction of technological systems in terms of chaînes opératoires, the field must raise the bar in terms of many sampling issues, Not only are larger samples required for plausible reconstructions, but complete assemblages must be assessed, not just a handful of idiosyncratically selected intact artifacts from single context types (usually graves). If the field accomplishes these methodological advances, we have a chance not just to be contributing to regional prehistory, but also to be engaging in the current global discussions of early metallurgy.