East Asian archaeology and global trade networks
Key Questions
What ancient remains lie beneath modern Taipei?
Fossilized shell mounds dating to prehistoric periods have been identified under the city streets. They reveal long-term human occupation and resource use in the region.
How do recent finds link Iron Age Thailand to Indian networks?
A dig in western Thailand uncovered 2,000-year-old gold rings bearing Brahmi inscriptions. These artifacts demonstrate early cultural and trade connections with India.
What ongoing research is reshaping views of ancient East Asian trade?
Studies include aDNA linking the Bo people to hanging coffins, submerged Silk Road sites, and isotopic analysis challenging millet-centric diet narratives. Jingdezhen's 2,000-year ceramic history is also being overviewed.
Major discoveries continue reshaping understanding of ancient trade and cultural exchange. Recent highlights include aDNA linking Bo people to hanging coffins, Issyk inscription decipherment, AI-paleoclimate linking typhoons to Shang collapse, submerged Silk Road city in Lake Issyk-Kul, deep-sea shipwreck off Norway (18th c. Chinese porcelain), Tang golden armor reconstruction, Yuan lamp oil analysis, isotopic studies challenging millet-centric narratives. New overview of Jingdezhen's 2,000-year ceramic history. Western Thailand dig uncovers 2,000-year-old gold rings with Brahmi inscription linking Iron Age Thailand to Indian networks. UNESCO Silk Roads conference at Zhejiang University. New: Yue site at Jizhong (Warring States/early Imperial) study on agriculture and diet. New: Taipei shell middens (4,000+ years) – formation, dating, cultural significance as a local East Asian case study. New: Multifaceted ceramic analysis (petrography, use-alteration, residue) of Shang-Zhou transition in Shandong challenges simplistic ethnic/political narratives. New: Compound-specific isotope analysis on pottery lipids reconstructs Tang military diet in eastern Tianshan – method-driven case study.