Ancient Copper Mining in Upland Laos: A study into Iron ...€¦ · Photo: Dr Nigel Chang artefacts...
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Ancient Copper Mining in Upland Laos: A study into Iron Age mining in a Tropical Environment. Four sites have been discovered at Vilabouly; Peun Baolo (2008), Dragon Field (2008), Khanong A2 (2009), Tengkham South D (2012). These sites were uncovered by the modern day mining operations of MMG-LXML. Subsequent excavations were conducted jointly by James Cook University and the Department of National History, Laos PDR. Vilabouly is a district in Savannakhet, Province in south-central Laos. The relatively close proximity of these sites has led to the suggestion that they represent various aspects of a larger complex. Artifacts at Peun Baolo (grave goods) suggest that mining began there at least 3000 years ago. Other sites such as Khanong and Dragon Field show intense mining and metallurgical activity around 2000 years ago. Tengkham South D shows that this activity continued to at least 1550 years ago. It appears that MMG-LXML is continuing a long established tradition of copper mining in Vilabouly District. The close proximity of the shaft and their location in an upland environment has led to suggestions that these mining operations might conducted on a seasonal basis. This is evidenced by the fact that many of the shafts are intercutting suggesting that a substantial period of time might have elapsed between the construction of the mine shafts. By Antonino Tucci, Dr Nigel Chang, Thongsa Sayavongkhamdy, Viengkeo Souksavatdy, Samlane Luangaphay, Thonglith Luangkhoth The most prominent features of these sites are the wooden framework surrounding the tightly clustered mine shafts. The ends have been clearly shaped to interlock with each other and are tightly bound with rattan. The framework forms the pattern of an eight-pointed star and is surrounded by woven bamboo matting. 150 individual vertical shafts were uncovered at Khanong. There is no evidence of cross shafts or adits. The shafts uncovered at Tengkham South D appear to be following the copper ore seam. An example of the wooden framework from a mineshaft excavated at Tengkham South D (2013) Photo: Dr Nigel Chang Reference List •CHANG, N. 2009. Preliminary Report on the Khanong A2 Pit Archaeological Excavation, April 2009 (Unpublished). Retrieved from School of Arts and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville. •CHANG, N. 2012. Peun Baolo V Archaeological Excavation (Unpublished). Retrieved from School of Arts and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville. •SCOTT, J. 2009. The Art of Not Being Governed: An Anarchist History of Upland Southeast Asia. New Haven & London: Yale University Press. •TUCCI, A. 2012. Uncovering an Ancient Occupation: A Study of social organisation at the Khanong Iron Age copper mining site located at Sepon Laos. Unpublished Bachelor of Social Science (Hons.) thesis, Department Humanities, James Cook University, Townsville. The Khanong A2 site. The red circles indicate where mine shafts are located (2009) Photo: Dr Nigel Chang. Left: Woven Bamboo Basket from TKSD (2013) Centre: Wooden Mallet from TKSD (2013) Right: Copper stained bone fragment found at TKSD (2013) Photo: Dr Nigel Chang Top: Excavated shafts at TKSD(2013) Bottom: Shafts with bamboo matting removed. Photo: Dr Nigel Chang 3000 Years of Copper Mining Tools of the Trade In 2013 excavations at TKSD revealed artefacts that might represent mining ‘tools’. Several woven bamboo baskets were discovered , some still with chunks of ore inside, with the black and red patterns still visible. A possible wooden mallet was also discovered at TKSD. Radiocarbon dates place the ‘tools’ around 2000 years ago. In 2013 a blue bone fragment was found tied to a section of shaft framework at Tengkham South D, suggesting possible ritualistic aspects. Who were the Miners? Further excavation is required to better understand the miners who worked at these sites. Some suggestions include independent hill tribes engaging in seasonal mining or even Chinese mining expeditions. Every year more evidence is uncovered that will help unravel the mystery of this enigmatic site. The Shaft Features The Vilabouly Sites Mining in an Upland Environment
Transcript of Ancient Copper Mining in Upland Laos: A study into Iron ...€¦ · Photo: Dr Nigel Chang artefacts...
Ancient Copper Mining in Upland Laos: A study into Iron Age mining in a Tropical Environment.
Four sites have been discovered at Vilabouly; Peun Baolo (2008), Dragon Field (2008), Khanong A2 (2009), Tengkham South D (2012). These sites were uncovered by the modern day mining operations of MMG-LXML. Subsequent excavations were conducted jointly by James Cook University and the Department of National History, Laos PDR. Vilabouly is a district in Savannakhet, Province in south-central Laos. The relatively close proximity of these sites has led to the suggestion that they represent various aspects of a larger complex.
Artifacts at Peun Baolo (grave goods) suggest that mining began there at least 3000 years ago. Other sites such as Khanong and Dragon Field show intense mining and metallurgical activity around 2000 years ago. Tengkham South D shows that this activity continued to at least 1550 years ago. It appears that MMG-LXML is continuing a long established tradition of copper mining in Vilabouly District.
The close proximity of the shaft and their location in an upland environment has led to suggestions that these mining operations might conducted on a seasonal basis. This is evidenced by the fact that many of the shafts are intercutting suggesting that a substantial period of time might have elapsed between the construction of the mine shafts.
By Antonino Tucci, Dr Nigel Chang, Thongsa Sayavongkhamdy, Viengkeo Souksavatdy, Samlane Luangaphay, Thonglith Luangkhoth
The most prominent features of these sites are the wooden framework surrounding the tightly clustered mine shafts. The ends have been clearly shaped to interlock with each other and are tightly bound with rattan. The framework forms the pattern of an eight-pointed star and is surrounded by woven bamboo matting.
150 individual vertical shafts were uncovered at Khanong. There is no evidence of cross shafts or adits. The shafts uncovered at Tengkham South D appear to be following the copper ore seam.
An example of the wooden framework from a mineshaft excavated at Tengkham South D (2013) Photo: Dr Nigel Chang
Reference List •CHANG, N. 2009. Preliminary Report on the Khanong A2 Pit Archaeological Excavation, April 2009 (Unpublished). Retrieved from School of Arts and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville. •CHANG, N. 2012. Peun Baolo V Archaeological Excavation (Unpublished). Retrieved from School of Arts and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville. •SCOTT, J. 2009. The Art of Not Being Governed: An Anarchist History of Upland Southeast Asia. New Haven & London: Yale University Press. •TUCCI, A. 2012. Uncovering an Ancient Occupation: A Study of social organisation at the Khanong Iron Age copper mining site located at Sepon Laos. Unpublished Bachelor of Social Science (Hons.) thesis, Department Humanities, James Cook University, Townsville.
The Khanong A2 site. The red circles indicate where mine shafts are located (2009) Photo: Dr Nigel Chang.
Left: Woven Bamboo Basket from TKSD (2013) Centre: Wooden Mallet from TKSD (2013) Right: Copper stained bone fragment found at TKSD (2013) Photo: Dr Nigel Chang
Top: Excavated shafts at TKSD(2013) Bottom: Shafts with bamboo matting removed. Photo: Dr Nigel Chang
3000 Years of Copper Mining
Tools of the Trade
In 2013 excavations at TKSD revealed artefacts that might represent mining ‘tools’. Several woven bamboo baskets were discovered , some still with chunks of ore inside, with the black and red patterns still visible. A possible wooden mallet was also discovered at TKSD. Radiocarbon dates place the ‘tools’ around 2000 years ago.
In 2013 a blue bone fragment was found tied to a section of shaft framework at Tengkham South D, suggesting possible ritualistic aspects.
Who were the Miners?
Further excavation is required to better understand the miners who worked at these sites. Some suggestions include independent hill tribes engaging in seasonal mining or even Chinese mining expeditions.
Every year more evidence is uncovered that will help unravel the mystery of this enigmatic site.
The Shaft Features
The Vilabouly Sites
Mining in an Upland
Environment
