Paper short abstract:

In 2013-2014 excavations at Khao Sek on the Thai-Malay Peninsula found a well-preserved iron smithing workshop floor, with intact hearths and in-situ tools and artefacts. Secure radiocarbon dates place the workshop in the 3rd century BC. This paper describes the worksop and its context, and touches on some of the other iron artefacts found nearby in disturbed (but probably related) contexts.

Paper long abstract:

In 2012-2014 the Franco-Thai Archaeological Mission carried out a series of test excavations at the site of Khao Sek, on the Thai-Malay Peninsula, in the search for evidence of a late prehistoric port of trade and industrial settlement. Previous nearby work at Khao Sam Kaeo had identified just such a settlement, but it had been badly damaged by looting. The situation at Khao Sek turned out to be similar, and the combined effects of looting and erosion had destroyed much evidence, but enough was found to confirm the presence of the settlement in the 3rd century BC. In particular, part of the well-preserved floor of an iron smithing workshop was found, with intact hearths, in situ tools and a rubble rear wall. While evidence of iron working is widespread in South East Asia, such a well-preserved smithing workshop has not been found before. This paper describes the workshop evidence, and briefly considers its place locally and regionally. It also touches on the iron artefacts from disturbed contexts at Khao Sek, and the archaeological evidence that has been lost through this disturbance.