Carnelian beads from Noen Din, Central Thailand: new technological features of stone bead drilling from Iron Age Southeast Asia

Abstract

Iron Age Central Thailand is a dynamic region that participated in Indo-Pacific exchange networks. Detailed study of the technological aspects of stone beads, one type of artifacts that circulated within the exchange system, can help  to better understand the nature of interactions. This research paper examines the manufacturing techniques of carnelian beads found at the Iron Age archaeological site of Noen Din (100 BCE to sixth century CE), in Lopburi province, Central Thailand. Studies of the carnelian raw material variety used to make the beads with their morphological and technological features of production are presented. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of the drill hole impressions reveals the use of two drilling technologies in the bead assemblage. Some of the beads were drilled with a metal drill and fine abrasive, a technology that is well documented in South Asia but has not been documented on carnelian beads at other sites in Southeast Asia. The other form of drilling seen in the bead assemblage involves the use of single and double diamond tipped drills, also a technology linked to South Asia. However, some of these diamond-drilled beads from Noen Din show drilling features so far undocumented elsewhere. The presence of carnelian beads with different technological features found at Noen Din could indicate that the beads were arriving in Thailand together or from different source areas in South Asia reflecting nuance interactions in the trade networks. The possibility of local production is also considered.