| Abstract: |
The archaeological site of Khok Phanom Di, Central Thailand, comprises a mound of discarded shells, occupation layers and some sterile, apparent marine overwash and loessic lenses. It also functioned as a cemetery and 153 burials were excavated. Sediments from the site contain phytoliths and microscopic and macroscopic charcoal in addition to plant marofossils. However, no pollen has been found on the site and palynological work concentrates on cores from the near environs. An attempt is being made to compile a three-dimensional picture of vegetation change and the two pollen diagrams to be discussed suggest that differing vegetations existed on the landward and seaward sides of the mound throughout much of prehistory. A carbonised particle curve for core BMR 2 shows that there was one major phase of burning of the vegetation, possibly of anthropogenic origin, and tentative recognition of Coix, Paspalum, Oryza and Eragrostis grass pollens using light microscopy suggests that millets as well as rice might have been grown in later prehistory.
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