My wife and I visited Ban Chiang on 1/11/04. The directions to the museum were a little bit unclear, and to the excavation site, they were non-existent - at least in English. The new buildings were under construction for the new museum facility. The exhibits were those for the traveling exhibit. These were still very good exhibits. We hope to be able to go to the site again when the new buildings are open. We visited this web site because there was no information available at the museum for us that would provide more extensive information that had been part of the exhibit. It would be very helpful if something additional could be offered for sale that covers the subject more and provides photos. We found publications at other archeological sites, such as Wiang Kum Kam, Ayuthaya, etc.

The excavation pit had been undergoing some work as well. Many bags [of archeological materials?] were stacked on the side of the excavation pit and some access to viewing the site was barricaded. Some of the skeletal materials and ceramics could still be seen in the side walls. The profiles had not been cleaned recently, so the profiles were difficult to see, but some detail was evident.

As an archeologist, I truly hope the excavation site becomes more prepared for interpretation for the public for their education. This is a very important site and needs more public awareness and exposure to both Thai people and foreign visiters. Few tour books highlight this site, and we sought it out because of our personal interest. It would have been exciting to see the results of additional research incorporated into the museum presentation, and planned excavations or continued research, especially in light of more recent techniques available for analysis of artifacts and human remains. This would provide a more dynamic and exciting exhibit. Perhaps these things haven't been done because there is no one doing them, or there is no money available to fund them.

This is the kind of site I would truly love to work on after being in this profession for 25 years! If there are any excavation opportunities, I would certainly like to know about them.

Thank you for an absolutely wonderful experience!!