- School of Archaeology and Anthropology,
College of Arts and Social Sciences
A.D. Hope Building, Ellery Crescent
0200
- Heritage Watch, Founder, Department MemberThe University of Sydney, Archaeology, Department Memberadd
- Archaeology and Anthropology, Archaeology, Southeast Asian Archaeology, Cambodian Archaeology, Prehistory, Iron Age, and 21 moreThailand, Numismatics, Cambodia, Laos (Lao PDR), Theory, Bronze Age, Warfare, Fauna, Heterarchy, Prehistoric Archaeology, Bioarchaeology, Southeast Asia, Chiefdoms, Pre Angkor, Hindu temples, Archaeology of Early Buddhism, Mortuary archaeology, Angkor, Southeast Asian Studies, South Asian Archaeology, and Vietnam Archaeologyedit
- I was granted an M.A. and PhD in Archaeology by the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. My research involved t... moreI was granted an M.A. and PhD in Archaeology by the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. My research involved the exploration of the development of political complexity in Bronze and Iron Age Thailand. I lived in Cambodia from 1999, working as a UNESCO lecturer at the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh. From 2006 -2008 I lectured at the University of Sydney, Australia, was a visiting lecturer at Yale University in 2008-09 and am currently employed with the Australian National University.
In response to widespread looting in Cambodia, I founded a non-governmental organization called Heritage Watch. Heritage Watch established a nationwide education campaign highlighting the importance of heritage.
I have worked extensively in the archaeology of Southeast Asia. Current research is focused in Cambodia where I am overseeing a multi-disciplinary project examining ancient mobility, health and social organization of Iron Age settlements. Upcoming research will focus on the rise of the state in the region in a major research effort that will see excavations undertaken in both Cambodia and Thailand, the core and periphery of empire.
Visit my project websites below;
http://www.heritagewatchinternational.org
Be sure to "like" Heritage Watch at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heritage-Watch-Cambodia/426459774032685
http://www.paddytopura.info/P2P/Welcome.html
http://www.intheirbones.infoedit
"An Interactive Guide to Angkor is a beautifully designed multi-touch iBook for use at the temples of Angkor or at home on the iPad. Zoomable maps, pop-up information panels and a concise and enjoyable style make this the must have... more
"An Interactive Guide to Angkor is a beautifully designed multi-touch iBook for use at the temples of Angkor or at home on the iPad.
Zoomable maps, pop-up information panels and a concise and enjoyable style make this the must have guide for short visits to Angkor.
Authored by archaeologist Dr Dougald O'Reilly with narration by noted scholar on Southeast Asia, Professor Charles Higham the book will prove very useful and enjoyable for anyone visiting Angkor."
VISIT the web page; http://www.interactiveangkor.com
Zoomable maps, pop-up information panels and a concise and enjoyable style make this the must have guide for short visits to Angkor.
Authored by archaeologist Dr Dougald O'Reilly with narration by noted scholar on Southeast Asia, Professor Charles Higham the book will prove very useful and enjoyable for anyone visiting Angkor."
VISIT the web page; http://www.interactiveangkor.com
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Early Civilizations of Southeast Asia presents a fascinating synthesis of research on the prehistoric societies of mainland Southeast Asia. Drawing on archaeological and historical research, both old and new, Dougald O'Reilly provides a... more
Early Civilizations of Southeast Asia presents a fascinating synthesis of research on the prehistoric societies of mainland Southeast Asia. Drawing on archaeological and historical research, both old and new, Dougald O'Reilly provides a general picture of the events that shaped the region in ancient times, covering the rise of the Pyu civilization in Myanmar, the Mon and Dvaravati kingdoms of Thailand, the early polities of peninsular Malaysia, the Khmer kingdoms of Cambodia, and the rise of Champa in Vietnam. This is a book that will interest both scholars and students of archaeology, anthropology, history, and Asian studies.
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This paper reviews stone (agate and carnelian) and glass bead assemblages from three sites in northwest Cambodia: Lovea, Prei Khmeng, and Sophy. Beads from all three sites were largely found in burial contexts dating to the Iron Age or... more
This paper reviews stone (agate and carnelian) and glass bead assemblages from three sites in northwest Cambodia: Lovea, Prei Khmeng, and Sophy. Beads from all three sites were largely found in burial contexts dating to the Iron Age or protohistoric period (500 BCE-500 CE). While stone and glass beads are frequently markers of contact with South Asia, they are also informative for understanding intra-regional exchange networks within Southeast Asia. An analysis of the glass beads identifies that most beads were made from a high-alumina mineral-soda glass. Compositional and morphological analysis of the stone beads suggests that they were likely produced from an Indian raw material source and using South Asian production techniques. Overall, the bead assemblages from all three sites show connections to other sites in Cambodia and Thailand and especially seem to be part of the broader Mekong Interaction Sphere exchange network.
The Plain of Jars Archaeological Research Project (PJARP) team has been investigating the megalithic jars of North central Laos since 2016 with excavations conducted at three jar sites (Sites 1, 2 and 52) in Xieng Khouang Province. This... more
The Plain of Jars Archaeological Research Project (PJARP) team has been investigating the megalithic jars of North central Laos since 2016 with excavations conducted at three jar sites (Sites 1, 2 and 52) in Xieng Khouang Province. This paper presents the methodology and results of the excavation of Site 2 (Ban Nakho) undertaken in 2019. While similarities are apparent in the archaeological evidence uncovered between Site 2 and the other sites excavated by the team, important differences can be discerned between these sites. Features common at all sites include sandstone chips, limestone blocks and artifact assemblages. The finds and dating for Site 2 are presented here to place the site in a regional context, contributing to the understanding of this enigmatic megalithic culture and the expanding corpus of known sites.
The evolution of increasingly hierarchical societies in Northeast Thailand has been discussed in the past but the motivating factors for this transformation remain elusive. This paper presents an examination of data from the Bronze and... more
The evolution of increasingly hierarchical societies in Northeast Thailand has been discussed in the past but the motivating factors for this transformation remain elusive. This paper presents an examination of data from the Bronze and Iron Ages of Northeast Thailand with special reference to sites surrounded by channels and embankments. There continues to be considerable debate over the function of these channels, with defense, flood control, aquaculture, symbolism, and water storage for agricultural purposes all being presented as potential objectives. The author argues that the channels were constructed under the direction of emergent elites and were utilized as water storage devices. It is demonstrated that the channels retain sufficient water to irrigate rice fields during times of environmental stress to feed the estimated prehistoric populations of these sites. The author goes on to argue that the channels were instrumental in the elite's establishment of enduring hierarchies in the region and that they were used to leverage the populace to produce a surplus to support the elite's retinue and served to entrench hierarchical order through the Iron Age and beyond.
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The megalithic jar sites of Laos (often referred to as the Plain of Jars) remain one of Southeast Asia’s most mysterious and least understood archaeological cultures. The sites, recently inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage, host hollowed... more
The megalithic jar sites of Laos (often referred to as the Plain of Jars) remain one of Southeast Asia’s most mysterious and least understood archaeological cultures. The sites, recently inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage, host hollowed stone jars, up to three metres in height, which appear scattered across the landscape, alone or clustered in groups of up to more than 400. Until now, it has not been possible to estimate when the jars were first placed on the landscape or from where the stone was sourced. Geochronological analysis using the age of detrital zircons demonstrates a likely quarry source for one of the largest megalithic jar sites. Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating suggests the jars were positioned at the sites potentially as early as the late second millennium BC. Radiocarbon dating of skeletal remains and charcoal samples places mortuary activity around the jars from the 9-13th century AD, suggesting the sites have maintained ritual significance from the p...
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O’Reilly, D. and Shewan L. 2016. The Mysterious Megalithic jars of Central Laos, The Journal of the Asian Arts Society of Australia 25 (4), 12-13.
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The use of coffins and jars as funerary receptacles was common across Southeast Asia. During the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries AD, cremation was the dominant mortuary tradition on the Angkorian plains, but in the Cardamom Mountains... more
The use of coffins and jars as funerary receptacles was common across Southeast Asia. During the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries AD, cremation was the dominant mortuary tradition on the Angkorian plains, but in the Cardamom Mountains to the south, contemporaneous groups practised a unique burial tradition involving the deposition of un-cremated bone in exposed ceramic vessels and log coffins. The authors present the first geochemical analysis of individuals from this highland culture, specifically the site of Phnom Pel. The childhood diets of those interred in jars and coffins may have been sourced from different areas within the Cardamom Mountains, suggesting that the individuals came from discrete groups.
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The Iron Age of Mainland Southeast Asia began in the fifth century bc and lasted for about a millennium. In coastal regions, the development of trade along the Maritime Silk Road led to the growth of port cities. In the interior, a fall... more
The Iron Age of Mainland Southeast Asia began in the fifth century bc and lasted for about a millennium. In coastal regions, the development of trade along the Maritime Silk Road led to the growth of port cities. In the interior, a fall in monsoon rains particularly affected the Mun River valley. This coincided with the construction of moats/reservoirs round Iron Age settlements from which water was channelled into wet rice fields, the production of iron ploughshares and sickles, population growth, burgeoning exchange and increased conflict. We explore the social impact of this agricultural revolution through applying statistical analyses to mortuary samples dating before and after the development of wet rice farming. These suggest that there was a swift formation of social elites represented by the wealth of mortuary offerings, followed by a decline. Two associated changes are identified. The first involved burying the dead in residential houses; the second considers the impact of ...
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Abstract In this paper we present the study of the copper-base assemblage of the Late Iron Age (c. 100–400 BC/AD) moated site of Lovea in north-western Cambodia. Fourteen artefacts, approximately 20% of the metals assemblage, including... more
Abstract In this paper we present the study of the copper-base assemblage of the Late Iron Age (c. 100–400 BC/AD) moated site of Lovea in north-western Cambodia. Fourteen artefacts, approximately 20% of the metals assemblage, including bracelets, rings and earrings, were analysed for their elemental and lead isotopic composition, and these data compared with existing Southeast Asian archaeometallurgical databases. Results indicate the presence of bronze, leaded bronze, and possibly high-tin bronze alloys on-site. The unleaded-bronzes exhibit a strong consistency with the lead isotope signature of Sepon in central Laos, a major prehistoric copper production centre. We propose that the apparent presence of a sole copper source, when others were available, may be linked to economic and/or cultural factors during a period of increasing social complexity.
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Early Civilizations of Southeast Asia presents a fascinating synthesis of research on the prehistoric societies of mainland Southeast Asia. Drawing on archaeological and historical research, both old and new, Dougald... more
Early Civilizations of Southeast Asia presents a fascinating synthesis of research on the prehistoric societies of mainland Southeast Asia. Drawing on archaeological and historical research, both old and new, Dougald O'Reilly provides a general picture of the events that shaped the region in ancient times, covering the rise of the Pyu civilization in Myanmar, the Mon and Dvaravati kingdoms of Thailand, the early polities of peninsular Malaysia, the Khmer kingdoms of Cambodia, and the rise of Champa in Vietnam. This is a book that will ...
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Abstract The circular, moated sites of Northeast Thailand are among the most readily distinguished archaeological features in prehistoric Southeast Asia via aerial survey. Seminal work analysing the distribution of these sites was... more
Abstract The circular, moated sites of Northeast Thailand are among the most readily distinguished archaeological features in prehistoric Southeast Asia via aerial survey. Seminal work analysing the distribution of these sites was undertaken by Moore, Welch and McNeill in the late 1980s and early 1990s. These studies sought to analyse spatial clustering and the relationship between elevation with site size and density. Recent research by the authors has led to the discovery of further moated sites in Northeast Thailand thereby potentially affecting the conclusions reached by Moore, Welch and McNeill. This paper revisits Moore's original nearest neighbor analysis, including newly identified sites. Moore had concluded there was a random distribution of moated sites in her study area but the updated research clearly demonstrates clustering of moated sites in the Khorat Basin. The elevation at which settlements are located is also revealed to be correlated to the size of the sites and the density of distribution of sites in the study area. The authors argue that these results may be due to the reduced availability of water at higher elevations a finding which correlates strongly with recent evidence which links patterns of precipitation to the distribution and density of sites on the Khorat Plateau. These findings may also have implications for the interpretation of socio-political organisation of Iron Age sites in Northeast Thailand.
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We present the first radiocarbon dates from previously unrecorded, secondary burials in the Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia. The mortuary ritual incorporates nautical tradeware ceramic jars and log coffins fashioned from locally harvested... more
We present the first radiocarbon dates from previously unrecorded, secondary burials in the Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia. The mortuary ritual incorporates nautical tradeware ceramic jars and log coffins fashioned from locally harvested trees as burial containers, which were set out on exposed rock ledges at 10 sites in the eastern Cardamom Massif. The suite of 2814C ages from 4 of these sites (Khnorng Sroal, Phnom Pel, Damnak Samdech, and Khnang Tathan) provides the first estimation of the overall time depth of the practice. The most reliable calendar date ranges from the 4 sites reveals a highland burial ritual unrelated to lowland Khmer culture that was practiced from cal AD 1395 to 1650. The time period is concurrent with the 15th century decline of Angkor as the capital of the Khmer kingdom and its demise about AD 1432, and the subsequent shift of power to new Mekong trade ports such as Phnom Penh, Udong, and Lovek. We discuss the Cardamom ritual relative to known funerary ritua...
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ABSTRACT Archeological sites that are surrounded by moats in Northeast Thailand were identified in the early 20th century and have generated interest ever since. Subsequent research has revealed that these sites fluoresced during the Iron... more
ABSTRACT Archeological sites that are surrounded by moats in Northeast Thailand were identified in the early 20th century and have generated interest ever since. Subsequent research has revealed that these sites fluoresced during the Iron Age (c. 500 B.C.–A.D. 600) but the purpose of the moats remains enigmatic. Pedestrian survey and aerial photographs have assisted in understanding the distribution of these sites across the landscape and has shown that they concentrate in the Mun and Chi Valleys of the Khorat Plateau. This paper presents the identification of 146 newly identified sites using Google Earth satellite imagery and identifies the presence of clusters of moated settlements in these regions through statistical analysis.
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Examination of skeletal material from graves at Phum Snay in north-west Cambodia revealed an exceptionally high number of injuries, especially to the head, likely to have been caused by interpersonal violence. The graves also contain a... more
Examination of skeletal material from graves at Phum Snay in north-west Cambodia revealed an exceptionally high number of injuries, especially to the head, likely to have been caused by interpersonal violence. The graves also contain a quantity of swords and other offensive weapons used in conflict. The authors propose a context for these warriors in the struggle between emergent polities in the Iron Age before the domination of Angkor.
Research Interests: Archaeology and Antiquity
Abstract The existence of moated mounds in the archaeological record of north-east Thailand has long been known, the majority constructed during the earlier first millennium AD. Despite considerable research, the purpose of the... more
Abstract The existence of moated mounds in the archaeological record of north-east Thailand has long been known, the majority constructed during the earlier first millennium AD. Despite considerable research, the purpose of the substantial and sometimes multiple moats surrounding raised occupation mounds has remained a mystery. Combining locational, hydrological and rainfall data with the archaeological evidence, this study of the moated mounds of the Khorat Plateau seeks to resolve the question through statistical analysis. The results suggest that water storage may have been the primary purpose of the moats, enabling communities to survive dry seasons and droughts.
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Abstract The impressive architecture of Angkor Wat conveys a sense of harmonious design, but recent survey using ground-penetrating radar (GPR), coupled with targeted excavation, reveals a more complex picture. Fragmentary traces of a... more
Abstract The impressive architecture of Angkor Wat conveys a sense of harmonious design, but recent survey using ground-penetrating radar (GPR), coupled with targeted excavation, reveals a more complex picture. Fragmentary traces of a quincunx of earlier towers have been detected, which were partially demolished when the outer enclosure and western gateway were completed. Are these the remains of a shrine used during the construction period? If so, they throw new light on associated ritual activity during the building of Angkor Wat.
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Excavations were undertaken at the village (<em>phum) </em>of Sophy in Banteay Meanchey Province, north-west Cambodia over two field seasons in two separate areas in 2009 and 2010. The remains of twenty individuals were found... more
Excavations were undertaken at the village (<em>phum) </em>of Sophy in Banteay Meanchey Province, north-west Cambodia over two field seasons in two separate areas in 2009 and 2010. The remains of twenty individuals were found in 14 mortuary contexts with individuals interred with a range of burial goods including ceramic vessels, stone and glass beads, iron and bronze artefacts and faunal remains. The site dates to the Iron Age (dates spanning the period c. 87-526 AD) and is surrounded by the ruins of later, Pre-Angkorian temples and their associated ponds. Excavation and research has revealed Sophy to be a prehistoric agricultural village in which the inhabitants exploited a wide-range of habitats and engaged in inter-regional exchange. The results of these investigations are presented here incorporating a description of the excavation, preliminary discussion of the material assemblage and demographic data obtained from the mortuary contexts.
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Research Interests: Archaeology and Antiquity
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A significant portion of the thesis is dedicated to anthropological and archaeological theory, pertaining to social organisation. An overview of the present state of archaeological research in the Mun River valley is followed by a... more
A significant portion of the thesis is dedicated to anthropological and archaeological theory, pertaining to social organisation. An overview of the present state of archaeological research in the Mun River valley is followed by a description of the excavations at Ban Lum Khao and Non Muang Kao. Succeeding chapters are dedicated to the analysis of the archaeological remains, including the presentation of a ceramic categorisation. The data from Ban Lum Khao are subjected to statistical analysis in an attempt to identify possible differences in mortuary practice which may be ...
HeritageWatch, an Non-governmental organization dedicated to the preservation of Cambodia's cultural heritage, has been active in eductional initiatives for over two years. The organization will, in the coming year, launch a major... more
HeritageWatch, an Non-governmental organization dedicated to the preservation of Cambodia's cultural heritage, has been active in eductional initiatives for over two years. The organization will, in the coming year, launch a major initiative aimed at promoting positive tourism, corporate responsibility and development in the arts, culture and heritage in Cambodia.
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Phum Snay is a village located along National Route 6 in Preah eat Prey District, Banteay Meanchey Province, Northwest Cambodia (48P UTM 0305983/ 1506856 13"37'26.3" E1030 12'23.5") (Figure 1). The village of Snay... more
Phum Snay is a village located along National Route 6 in Preah eat Prey District, Banteay Meanchey Province, Northwest Cambodia (48P UTM 0305983/ 1506856 13"37'26.3" E1030 12'23.5") (Figure 1). The village of Snay is located on the edge of a large natural mound, three km in diameter. It is one of several small hamlets that exist on the edge of this hummock. The Preah Neat Prey River is located approximately 100m to the west of the site. During 2000, roadwork was undertaken to link the village with National Route 6. This construction work revealed the presence of a number of inhumation burials. Unfortunately the discovery of burials led to the looting of the site by the villagers. Investigation proved the burials to be prehistoric, and they were associated with a great deal of material culture including bronzes and semiprecious stones. In order to save what little archaeological material remained at Phum Snay excavations were undertaken in 2001. This work revea...
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The use of coffins and jars as funerary receptacles was common across Southeast Asia. During the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries AD, cremation was the dominant mortuary tradition on the Angkorian plains, but in the Cardamom Mountains... more
The use of coffins and jars as funerary receptacles was common across Southeast Asia. During the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries AD, cremation was the dominant mortuary tradition on the Angkorian plains, but in the Cardamom Mountains to the south, contemporaneous groups practised a unique burial tradition involving the deposition of un-cremated bone in exposed ceramic vessels and log coffins. The authors present the first geochemical analysis of individuals from this highland culture, specifically the site of Phnom Pel. The childhood diets of those interred in jars and coffins may have been sourced from different areas within the Cardamom Mountains, suggesting that the individuals came from discrete groups.
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Xieng Khouang and neighboring provinces in Central Laos are home to a vast megalithic landscape featuring large stone jars, discs, and imported boulders located in elevated positions. Sites were first noted in the late nineteenth century,... more
Xieng Khouang and neighboring provinces in Central Laos are home to a vast megalithic landscape featuring large stone jars, discs, and imported boulders located in elevated positions. Sites were first noted in the late nineteenth century, with systematic recording commencing in the 1930s. Despite subsequent survey efforts and more recent excavations, many previously noted sites remain unconfirmed and others undiscovered, limiting our understanding of the geographic extent of the jar sites and the culture that created the jars. Here we present the results of a 2019 survey across Xieng Khouang Province which led to the documentation of 15 previously unreported megalithic sites and one potential habitation site. With the inclusion of the survey data, the Lao PDR Government database of jar sites will grow from 83 to 102, with 94 of the sites now geo-located.
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The understanding of Angkorian pre-state society has been greatly enhanced by an increase in archaeological investigation in recent years. From excavations conducted at Cambodian Iron Age sites we have evidence that attests to a... more
The understanding of Angkorian pre-state society has been greatly enhanced by an increase in archaeological investigation in recent years. From excavations conducted at Cambodian Iron Age sites we have evidence that attests to a transformative period characterised by increasing sociopolitical complexity, intensified inter- and trans-regional mercantile activity, differential access to resources, social conflict, technological transfer and developments in site morphology. Among the growing corpus of Iron Age sites excavated, Phum Lovea, on the periphery of Angkor, is uniquely placed to provide insight into increasing sociopolitical complexity in this area. The site is one of the few prehistoric moated settlements known in Cambodia and the only one to date to have been excavated. Excavation of the site has revealed an Iron Age agrarian settlement whose occupants engaged in trade and exchange networks, craft specialisation, metal production, and emergent water management strategies. Th...
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"O'Reilly's thesis examines the development of social complexity in Northeast Thailand with reference to two sites, Ban Lum Khao and Non Muang Kao. These sites, occupied during the Bronze and Iron Ages respectively, were excavated in the... more
"O'Reilly's thesis examines the development of social complexity in Northeast Thailand with reference to two sites, Ban Lum Khao and Non Muang Kao. These sites, occupied during the Bronze and Iron Ages respectively, were excavated in the hope that they would provide some insight into the hitherto uninvestigated area of prehistoric social development in the Mun River basin.
Using the mortuary remains from Ban Lum Khao it has been possible to draw inferences regarding the socio-political environment during the Bronze Age. The evidence from Non Muang Kao, while not as plentiful, indicates that dramatic social changes took place in the region from c. 1000-500 BC.
A significant portion of the thesis is dedicated to anthropological and archaeological theory, pertaining to social organisation. An overview of the present state of archaeological research in the Mun River valley is followed by a description of the excavations at Ban Lum Khao and Non Muang Kao. Succeeding chapters are dedicated to the analysis of the archaeological remains, including the presentation of a ceramic categorisation. The data from Ban Lum Khao are subjected to statistical analysis in an attempt to identify possible differences in mortuary practice which may be indicative of the social structure. The evidence from Ban Lum Khao seems to indicate that no entrenched hierarchical system existed during the time the cemetery was in use. The material from Non Muang Kao and other contemporaneous Iron Age sites, however, suggests that such systems developed in subsequent periods. The thesis concludes with an overview of traditional models of social organisation as they pertain to the evidence from Northeast Thailand with a recommendation that the heterarchical model be embraced. It is felt that this paradigm best explains the available data.
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Using the mortuary remains from Ban Lum Khao it has been possible to draw inferences regarding the socio-political environment during the Bronze Age. The evidence from Non Muang Kao, while not as plentiful, indicates that dramatic social changes took place in the region from c. 1000-500 BC.
A significant portion of the thesis is dedicated to anthropological and archaeological theory, pertaining to social organisation. An overview of the present state of archaeological research in the Mun River valley is followed by a description of the excavations at Ban Lum Khao and Non Muang Kao. Succeeding chapters are dedicated to the analysis of the archaeological remains, including the presentation of a ceramic categorisation. The data from Ban Lum Khao are subjected to statistical analysis in an attempt to identify possible differences in mortuary practice which may be indicative of the social structure. The evidence from Ban Lum Khao seems to indicate that no entrenched hierarchical system existed during the time the cemetery was in use. The material from Non Muang Kao and other contemporaneous Iron Age sites, however, suggests that such systems developed in subsequent periods. The thesis concludes with an overview of traditional models of social organisation as they pertain to the evidence from Northeast Thailand with a recommendation that the heterarchical model be embraced. It is felt that this paradigm best explains the available data.
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