Contemporary Archaeology as a Global Dialogue: Reflections from Southeast Asia

Abstract

The practices of professional archaeology in Southeast Asia have generally been inherited from and influenced by western archaeologists and amateurs since the eighteenth century. In the past decades, contemporary Southeast Asian archaeology has incorporated western theories and methodologies into its own archaeological practices. At the same time, the search for indigenous archaeological knowledge has been important in the post-modern world era. Evidently, a number of Southeast Asian archaeologists face many challenges. Increasingly, they have been examining the history of archaeology in local contexts, and how these contexts have impacted the development of archaeological knowledge and practices in the present. These contributions reflect self-awareness and help us to gain a better understanding of the current situation in the region. This paper examines the history of the development of prehistoric archaeology in Southeast Asia from a local perspective, and how the current status will impact the growth and construction of archaeological knowledge in the region. In particular, this paper emphasizes archaeological traditions, research methodologies, and the current status of archaeological practices within Southeast Asian countries. In writing this paper, I share my self-reflections from my personal experiences working in prehistoric archaeology in Thailand and Southeast Asia as case studies.