Transportation and the anomaly of road systems in medieval mainland southeast asia

Abstract

Communication and movement were critical elements of the successful operation of mainland Southeast Asian states. This paper evaluates the primary mechanisms and archaeological evidence for transportation systems in the region (e.g., oceans, rivers, terrestrial). A general absence of formalized road networks is partially explained through a series of geographic factors and cultural decisions. The lone exception is the Angkorian Khmer who constructed a massive system that radiated over 1000 km2 and was interconnected with the natural riverine systems within its central territories. While the Angkorian example remains the only clearly visible evidence of an extensive road infrastructure, it is argued that future research into Southeast Asian states must consider how and where they communicated in the past and develop new techniques for identifying remains as rapid development continues to alter the archaeological landscape.