Paper short abstract

Tham Lod Rockshelter has yielded a rich archaeological sequence spanning from 35 ka to the Holocene.

Paper long abstract

Tham Lod Rockshelter has yielded a rich archaeological sequence spanning from 35 ka to the Holocene. Analysis of the lithic material from the area 2 showed that most of it (2/3) is comprised of imported rock fragments artificially (perhaps thermally) broken. Tools proper (i.e. shaped or retouched) represent 10% of the lithic assemblage. Half of them are heavy-duty tools (>10cm) among which the sumatraliths are the signature of the Hoabinhian tradition. These are more frequent in the upper part of the Pleistocene sequence at Tham Lod, while choppers are more in the lower part. Besides these typical tool types, there is a full range of intermediate types. Detailed analysis of their variability helps in tracing how and when the typical Hoabinhian tool kit emerges and what are its main technical features.