It Becomes Clearer if you dig a little
By Garry | October 4th, 2002 | Category: Archaeological Sites, Government, Opinions | No Comments »
Published in Bangkok Post Newspaper, Thailand, 4 October 2002
It Becomes Clearer if you dig a little
CHIANG MAI, Thailand – 03 October 2002 - Concerning the article “Don’t know much about history” (Bangkok Post 2nd October) and the comments by Prasat Sa-anwong, deputy director-general of the Curriculum and Instruction Development Department …
One of the key factors for the lack of students pursuing this subject at university level may be the attitude of the Fine Arts Department’s Archaeological Office. I have been told that here in Chiangmai, the government officials at Fine Arts refuse permission for History and Fine Arts undergraduates to assist with archaeological excavations – normally a compulsory activity for such students in western universities.
I have no understanding why such refusals of “free” manpower should be made, but could hazard a guess.
During the AD 1980’s, when 30+ temples were excavated at Wieng Kum Kam, only 1,300 artefacts were recovered. This despite the city being instantaneously flooded in the 16th century AD, and according to surveys and excavation evidence, “the people of the city never returned to it and tried to dig it out”. Surely any one of the viharns, in any one of the 30+ temples, must have held more than 1,300 artefacts? Hmm?
Why do you think students are not allowed to help on archaeological digs?
