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Papers by Atthasit Sukkham

International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 2024

The Bidong shipwreck, discovered in 2012, is like a time capsule with much information. A total o... more The Bidong shipwreck, discovered in 2012, is like a time capsule with much information. A total of 306 ceramics and some wood samples were recovered during the first (2017) and second (2022) phases of excavation. Three main dating techniques were used in this study. A relative dating was conducted by comparative analysis of 10 intact ceramics with published reports, museum archives, and expert consultation. The recovered ceramics were identified as Thai Si Satchanalai and Maenam Noi ceramics. The samples were analysed for absolute dating of Thermoluminescence (TL), suggesting the ceramics were produced in 1500–1700 CE. Radiocarbon dating of wood suggested two periods of time: 1395–1444 CE for the ship’s frame and 1437–1522 CE for the ship’s plank. Based on relative and absolute dating, the preliminary date of the Bidong shipwreck is estimated between 1500 and 1550 CE.

Journal of Maritime Archaeology, 2024

The study of the origin of underwater artefacts is a crucial and relevant topic to be highlighted... more The study of the origin of underwater artefacts is a crucial and relevant topic to be highlighted, especially in the Southeast Asia Region, due to the active trading route during the Age of Sail. In the present study, we aim to discover the ship type and sailing route of the Bidong shipwreck using both relative and absolute analysis. The team analysed the wood samples collected at the Bidong shipwreck site during the second excavation phase. The analysis of wood anatomy and Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) was performed on five wood fragments at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). Based on the conducted analyses, two types of trees were identified in the construction of Bidong shipwrecks, namely Giam (Hopea spp.) and Meranti Temak Nipis (Shorea roxburghii). Both types of trees are commonly discovered in tropical climate regimes and the area of the Malay Archipelago. In addition, the team also compared the selected artefacts from the first phase of excavation with some published references of Southeast Asian Ceramic and live records from National Maritime Museums, Chanthaburi, and Southeast Asian Ceramic Museum, Bangkok University, Thailand. Significantly, the comparison analysis suggests that the artefacts rescued from the Bidong shipwreck were Thai ceramics of the Maenam Noi (Singburi) and Si Satchanalai (Sawankhalok) types. The result from these studies suggests that the Bidong shipwreck stopped loading Siamese ceramics or even repairing in Southeast Asia and sailing along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia for some destination in the sixteenth century during the Age of Monsoonal Civilisation.

Transformative Jars: Asian Ceramic Vessels as Transcultural Enclosures, 2022

Journal of Maritime Archaeology, Sep 2021

Previous research suggests that the peak of Chinese and Southeast Asian ceramic trade in Southeas... more Previous research suggests that the peak of Chinese and Southeast Asian ceramic trade in Southeast Asia occurred after the late fourteenth century and possibly ended in the first half of the eighteenth century. This has led to a lack of understanding about what occurred with this trade after the early eighteenth century. This article identifies six shipwrecks from the region with ceramic assemblages dated from the last half of eighteenth to the early twentieth centuries: Samed Ngam, Diana, Tek Sing, Desaru, Francis-Garnier (Man Nok or Ruea Mail) and Tha Krai. By analysing the origins, typologies, dates, functions and selections of these ships' ceramics, it is clear that the Chinese-made armorial, Chinese-made Bencharong and European ceramics offer diagnostic evidence of post-peak ceramic trading patterns. These ceramics were products for sale, remains of earlier ceramic shipments or utensils for on-board living. This body of evidence is comparable with that of terrestrial archaeological sites that suggest other cultural influences among the more recent maritime ceramic trade in Southeast Asia.

International Journal of Historical Archaeology, Dec 2018

The Si Satchanalai figurines and ceramics applied with figurines in various shapes of humans and ... more The Si Satchanalai figurines and ceramics applied with figurines in various shapes of humans and animals were one type of ceramics produced especially in the sixteenth century at the Si Satchanalai kilns located in Si Satchanalai city under the territorial control of the Sukhothai and the Ayutthaya Kingdoms which foreigners recorded the name of this region as “Siam.” They represent the mixed culture that came along with the unofficial and official foreign relations on politics and trade. Indian, Khmer, Lanna, Chinese Yuan and Ming, and Vietnamese arts and cultures were transmitted to Siam and became to be the important sources of inspiration for the local potters to create figurines and other forms of ceramic objects. The local daily life diet supplies, relationships in community, social organization, neighborhoods, activities, occupations and environments were other important sources of inspiration for the local potters.

Tham Phrayananga is a limestone cave on Phi Phi Le Island in the Andaman Sea, off south-west Thai... more Tham Phrayananga is a limestone cave on Phi Phi Le Island in the Andaman Sea, off south-west Thailand. A 2010 survey recorded 80 painted figures on the cave wall, in three different panels. They include nine identifiable ship types, other unidentified ships, non-marine images and a Jawi script. They are monochrome (black, red-brown, or dark-brown), or bichrome (dark-brown with yellow-brown, or red-brown with black). The vessels portrayed can be compared with local and overseas ships from China, Europe and Indonesia. Whether local or from distant ports, all were involved in the Southeast Asian maritime trade and voyages of the 15th–20th centuries.

Tan, N. H., Sukkham, A., Boyle, G., Tanompolkrang, W., Bowonsachoti, J., & Singhaseni, D. (2016).... more Tan, N. H., Sukkham, A., Boyle, G., Tanompolkrang, W., Bowonsachoti, J., & Singhaseni, D. (2016). “What Rock Art?” Stories from Northeast Thailand. In L. M. Brady & P. S. C. Taçon (Eds.), Relating to Rock Art in the Contemporary World (pp. 37-58). Boulder, Colorado: University of Colorado Press.

A r c h a e o l o g y 2 0 1 3 Selected

Sukkham, Atthasit. (2014). European Ceramic Trade in Thailand during the 19th to 20th Centuries: ... more Sukkham, Atthasit. (2014). European Ceramic Trade in Thailand during the 19th to 20th Centuries: A Case Study in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, Southern Thailand (pp 167-182). The Proceedings of Symposium on Cultural Exchange on Maritime Trade Routes. Bangkok: National Discovery Museum Institute. (In Thai)

Maritime Archaeology takes us into the part of mankind's history which dates back from the times ... more Maritime Archaeology takes us into the part of mankind's history which dates back from the times when man first ventured into waters either for collection of food or to cross the frontiers. However, it was only in the mid 20th century that it was introduced as a discipline from an academic and a research point of view. By that time Jacques -Yves Cousteau and Emile Gagnon had invented the aqualung scuba diving device which helped archaeologists, professionals and amateurs to undertake surveys of the seabed. Maritime archaeological study involves both land and water and the discoveries concern both scientists and social scientists thus its popularity has increased manifold world-wide. Yet, in relation to social and other sciences, it is a nascent discipline.

Sukkham, Atthasit, Taçon, Paul S.C., and Tan, Noel H. (2011). Rock Art of Phrayanaga (Viking) Cav... more Sukkham, Atthasit, Taçon, Paul S.C., and Tan, Noel H. (2011). Rock Art of Phrayanaga (Viking) Cave, Southern Thailand: The Illustration of Ancient Vessels. In Staniforth, Mark et al. (eds). The MUA Collection, accessed December 7, 2016, http://www.themua.org/collections/items/show/1214.

Muang Boran Journal, 36(3), 2010, pp 30-31. (In Thai)

Muang Boran Journal, 37(1), 2011, pp 27-29. (In Thai)

Sukkham, Atthasit. (2004). Characteristic and Chronology of Red Painted Designs on Potteries in t... more Sukkham, Atthasit. (2004). Characteristic and Chronology of Red Painted Designs on Potteries in the Late Ban Chiang Burials: Case Study on the Rescue Excavation of Phro Sri Nai Temple Site Museum. BA thesis in archaeology, Silpakorn University. (In Thai)

Bang Rachan or Mae Nam Noi kilns are ancient kilns located at Bang Rachan district, Singburi prov... more Bang Rachan or Mae Nam Noi kilns are ancient kilns located at Bang Rachan district, Singburi province in central Thailand. These kilns produced various types of ceramics from the 15th century up to the end of the Ayutthaya Kingdom period in 1767. Bang Rachan wares have mostly been discovered in the contexts of ancient towns, trade centers and shipwrecks. The technology of Bang Rachan kilns and their characteristics are similar to kilns in the Si Satchanalai district, Sukothai province in northern Thailand. Based on a comparative study with associated finds from shipwrecks of the Ko Khram, Nanyang, Royal Nanhai, Ko Samui, Brunei, Lena Shoal, Ko Si Chang I and III, Klang-Ao (Australia Tide), Pattaya, Singtai, Ko Kra, Don Hai, Ko Kradat, Hoi An and Witte Leeuw. Bang Rachan wares can be categorized in three different periods - early, middle and late. The early period is dated to around the 15th and 16th centuries. The only types of wares from Bang Rachan at this time consisted of glazed and unglazed jars in several sizes with four handles. The middle period dates to around the 16th century and consisted of glazed and unglazed jars in several sizes with four handles. They also included types such as stoneware bottles with two handles and without handles, basins, jarlets, mortars, cups and lids. The late period, dated to around 17th to 18th centuries, continue on from the middle period but are associated with Kraak porcelain made in China during the reign of the emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty around 17th century and European wares that date from 18th to 19th centuries. Bang Rachan wares were produced and used as kitchen utensils, export products and storage containers, especially jars used in towns or trade centers in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. They were also exported to the Southeast Asian market and even as far as overseas to Philippines, Japan, Australia, Africa and Portugal.

International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 2024

Journal of Maritime Archaeology, 2024

Transformative Jars: Asian Ceramic Vessels as Transcultural Enclosures, 2022

Journal of Maritime Archaeology, Sep 2021

International Journal of Historical Archaeology, Dec 2018

A r c h a e o l o g y 2 0 1 3 Selected

Muang Boran Journal, 36(3), 2010, pp 30-31. (In Thai)

Muang Boran Journal, 37(1), 2011, pp 27-29. (In Thai)

The Lan Na Kingdom was one of the Southeast Asian states produced the glazed stoneware ceramics d... more The Lan Na Kingdom was one of the Southeast Asian states produced the glazed stoneware ceramics during the thirteenth to nineteenth centuries AD. Most common ceramic forms comprised of jarlets, bottles, vases, Kendis, dishes, stem dishes, bowls, water droppers, jars, chessmen, smoking pipes, lanterns and even cicada cages. Several decoration techniques especially incising, impressing, applying, and painting of the geometric, floral and animal designs were decorated before glazing by several techniques specifically green glaze, brown glaze, two-colour glaze (monochrome glaze in different parts of ceramic), and underglaze black but some were unglazed. These ceramics were produced by single or double fire in the cross-draft kilns located in multiple areas, around nine kiln complexes, especially on the upper northern Thailand closed to the capitals of Lan Na Kingdom. Based on archaeological researches, these ceramics were distributed only in the Lan Na Kingdom with no exported to other Southeast Asian states. They were usually found in the Buddhist temples and along the city wall of capital and other important cities even the mountain villages on the Thanon Thong Chai Mountain Range as the present-day border between Myanmar and Thailand which represented the utensils for daily-life, religious, and trade activities in the Lan Na Kingdom.

The archaeology of ceramics has been conducted in Southeast Asia and Thailand for decades. Many p... more The archaeology of ceramics has been conducted in Southeast Asia and Thailand for decades. Many publications have also been published and they can be concluded the characteristics of ceramics included manufacturing processes, types of forms or shapes, types of surface treatment or decoration, meanings of decorative designs or pattern, sources of influence, and remarks on the comparison.

This PowerPoint Presentation is an introduction as one of fifteen lecture series teaching in the Faculty of Archaeology, Silpakorn University.

2018 ASEAN Museum Forum: Museum Media Covering People

According to the chronology of shipwrecks and their ceramic cargoes by Dr. Roxanna M. Brown (2009... more According to the chronology of shipwrecks and their ceramic cargoes by Dr. Roxanna M. Brown (2009a; 2009b) and Dr. Michael Flecker (2015), they focused on the shipwrecks from the 4 th to the 17 th centuries and Dr. Brown concluded that there were 6 different phases of trade ceramics during 1368-1584. • There are a few shipwrecks dated after the 18 th century were reported to be found in South China Sea or Southeast Asia but all of them were reported individually with no comparison study. • Both issues are inspiring to this study with the research question as: "How was the cultural pattern of ceramic trade after the 18 th century?"

Siam or Ayutthaya Kingdom was one of important trade centers in Southeast Asia since the 14th cen... more Siam or Ayutthaya Kingdom was one of important trade centers in Southeast Asia since the 14th century onwards. The capital of kingdom was Ayutthaya located along the Chao Phraya River that linked to the Gulf of Thailand. Ayutthaya expanded boundary of kingdom to every direction and many cities were ruled as its dependent or tributary cities. Most of them also supplied local products to Ayutthaya for sale to either domestic or international market. Based on archaeological research, the ceramics are one kind of famous products of Ayutthaya Kingdom. Unglazed earthenware and glazed stoneware with various styles of decoration were widely produced in the kingdom under the Khmer and Chinese influences. Especially at Bang Pun (Suphan Buri), Si Satchanalai (Sawankhalok), Sukhothai, and Bang Rachan (Singburi or Mae Nam Noi) kilns were operated under Ayutthaya as well as these kilns were usually produced the jar, excepted Sukhothai that was not produced it. According to the in-land and underwater archaeological reports, the jars were found in several archaeological contexts especially in capital Ayutthaya, hinterlands, coastal cities, and shipwrecks specifically Chinese, Southeast Asian and European merchant ships, which all dated between the 14th and 18th centuries. The jars especially found in great temples of cities and shipwrecks with their remains still inside suggest they were used to be a jar burial and a container of other smaller products for shipping.

The southern territory of Ayutthaya Kingdom (1350–1767) or Siam located on the middle of Malay Pe... more The southern territory of Ayutthaya Kingdom (1350–1767) or Siam located on the middle of Malay Peninsula, which lay between the Gulf of Siam (now Gulf of Thailand) and the Andaman Sea. This region was an important strategy location that the kings of Ayutthaya established Nakhon Si Thammarat as a chief-city in purposes of political control on other dependent cities, expansion of territory to the south of the peninsula and maritime trade. Its coastal dependent cities and even Ayutthaya were the ports for ceramic trade supplied by several maritime routes as well. Vietnamese ceramics produced at Chu Dau kilns in Hai Doung province and Go Sanh kilns in Binh Dinh province were some of trade ceramics associated with Chinese Ming, Si Satchanalai ceramics exported for Ayutthaya Kingdom especially during the 15th to 16th centuries, which were found in shipwrecks, in-land cities and Buddhist temples around the middle of the peninsula represented the connection with maritime trade routes.

This oral-presentation for the International Symposium on Past, Present and Future of ASEAN Marit... more This oral-presentation for the International Symposium on Past, Present and Future of ASEAN Maritime Heritage is a part of full-article published on the International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, Volume 46, Issue 1 (2017) available at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1095-9270.12213/full

During the 14th to 20th centuries, the glazed and unglazed ceramic productions were rapidly grown... more During the 14th to 20th centuries, the glazed and unglazed ceramic productions were rapidly grown up in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world, such as China, Japan and Europe. The ceramics had become to be one of important products associated with other products for exchange across the region by maritime trade routes. The shoreline of Thailand meets the Gulf of Thailand connected to the South China Sea in the east and the Andaman Sea as a part of Indian Ocean in the west, which is marked as a famous destination for international ships at the time. The ceramics from several origins, such as from the kilns in China, Thailand [Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai, Bang Rachan (Mae Nam Noi or Singburi), Bang Pun], Vietnam, Burma, Japan, and Europe, were usually found in the residential areas and Buddhist temples around the coastal area in eastern, central, and southern Thailand and even the shipwrecks in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea.

Jingdezhen blue and white jar of Later Middle Ming Dynasty, second half of 16th century.

Europe to make relations and settle in the capital of Ayutthaya Kingdom. Crucial to its success w... more Europe to make relations and settle in the capital of Ayutthaya Kingdom. Crucial to its success was location of the capital, which has irrigated the fertile Thai heartland and been a vital strategic and communications link." Ganier, Ayutthaya: Venice of the East (2004)

""Bang Rachan or Mae Nam Noi kilns are ancient kilns located at Bang Rachan district, Singburi pr... more ""Bang Rachan or Mae Nam Noi kilns are ancient kilns located at Bang Rachan district, Singburi province in central Thailand. These kilns produced various types of ceramics from the 15th century up to the end of the Ayutthaya Kingdom period in 1767. Bang Rachan wares have mostly been discovered in the contexts of ancient towns, trade centers and shipwrecks. The technology of Bang Rachan kilns and
their characteristics are similar to kilns in the Si Satchanalai district, Sukothai province in northern Thailand. Based on a comparative study with associated finds from shipwrecks of the Ko Khram, Nanyang, Royal Nanhai, Ko Samui, Brunei, Lena Shoal, Ko Si Chang I and III, Klang-Ao (Australia Tide), Pattaya, Singtai, Ko Kra, Don Hai, Ko Kradat, Hoi An and Witte Leeuw. Bang Rachan wares can be categorized in three different periods - early, middle and late. The early period is dated to around the
15th and 16th centuries. The only types of wares from Bang Rachan at this time consisted of glazed and unglazed jars in several sizes with four handles. The middle period dates to around the 16th century and consisted of glazed and unglazed jars in several sizes with four handles. They also included types such as stoneware bottles with two handles and without handles, basins, jarlets, mortars, cups and lids. The late period, dated to around 17th to 18th centuries, continue on from the middle period but are associated with Kraak porcelain made in China during the reign of the emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty around 17th century and European wares that date from 18th to 19th centuries. Bang Rachan wares were produced and
used as kitchen utensils, export products and storage containers, especially jars used in towns or trade centers in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. They were also exported to the Southeast Asian market and even as far as overseas to Philippines, Japan, Australia, Africa and Portugal.""

From the archaeological projects that have been done by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand in S... more From the archaeological projects that have been done by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand in Sukhothai province many years ago, it revealed several kiln sites that were situated both of Mueang district, in the area of Mueang Kao sub-district, Mueang district and Si Satchanalai district. The dating of these kilns are probably around 14th century to 16th century A.D. Only the kiln sites at Si Satchanali District can produce Celadon. Green glaze stoneware is the main character of Si Satchanalai celadon, it is usually thick translucent green, dark green, opaque blue, light blue green, in colours and decorated with incised, engraved, or carved motifs underglaze. Natural motifs were abundant used such as peony, chrysanthemum, lotus, flower blossom, local fern motif in vegetal scroll design, cross-hatching and etc. Typology of ceramics can be implied to the everyday life in the past, for the function and the way to use. As well as Si Satchanalai celadon, it is mainly shape are dish, bowl, stem dish, jar, jarlet, kendi, vase, oil lamp, mortar, water dropper and covered jar. Miniature vessels were also made in the same form of normal type. Mostly of them are daily life usage types but some are showed the religious function such as stem dish or water dropper. All of them have possibly influenced from Chinese celadon. Moreover, they are discovered in ancient shipwrecks around Southeast Asian waters.

Curated by Nipan Oranniwesna, director of Bangkok University Gallery, Bangkok University Co-curat... more Curated by Nipan Oranniwesna, director of Bangkok University Gallery, Bangkok University
Co-curated by Atthasit Sukkham, assistant curator of Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum, Bangkok University
Graphic designed by Asst. Prof.Montchai Suntives, Communication Design Department, Scool of Fine and Applied Arts, Bangkok University

"TREASURE"
Participating Artists:
Dusadee Huntrakul / Chantana Tiprachart / Nat Sethana / Boonsri Tangtrongsin / Phanjapon Nanuam / Sittisak Polpinit / Surasi Kusolwong / Yuree Kensaku / Tadayoshi Nakabayashi / Tetsuya Noda / Katsuro Yoshida / Chitti Kasemkitvatana / Nopchai Ungkavatanapong / Piyaluk Benjadol / Jantanee Fonkrathok / Rattawalee Chanchawvalt / Pipatpong Seepeng / Athapha Rattanaphongthara / Chayanat Sae-Jueng / Cherry Boonyapan / Sirawich Somjatnapan / Supreeyaporn Kongchuen
Exhibition Date:
18 January – 23 February 2023
Opening Hours:
9.30 am -16.30 pm
Monday – Saturday (Closed on Sunday)
Venue:
- Bangkok University Gallery: Space 1 + Space 2
- Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum, Bangkok University
*** Opening Reception: Wednesday, 18 January 2023, 13.00 PM onward
We identify something as Treasure perhaps not because of its price but rather its value and meaning to us or its relevance to our existence, which may reflect who or what we are. Treasure does not have to be visible or touchable in physical forms.
TREASURE refers to the exhibition and a metaphor as a platform for conversation about relations and interconnectedness of many aspects of life depicted through contemporary arts of archaeology and its existence in art space either in an art gallery or as an art collection.
TREASURE offers an exploration of thoughts in various layers/dimensions, as follows.
- Exploration via practice of contemporary artists with woven and intertwined issues related to society, culture, environment, memory, identity, belief, sexuality, as visible and touchable, and as invisible and untouchable to us
- Exploration via the collectable collections, with value and meaning, the relationship between the creators and the keepers, and between an original intent and altered meaning
- Exploration via claimed space and time of continuity, historical rift and juxtaposition of culture, combative conversations depicting the past, present, and future
TREASURE presents the works of 22 artists, with different aspects and presentations, using various mediums and conversations with the world around us, in 3 areas Bangkok University Gallery (BUG): Space 1, Space 2, and Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum, with already installed archeological pieces.