Southeast asia as a region implications for archaeological theory, method, and practice

Abstract

I hope you will not find me pompous, if I begin this essay with a personal statement. I do this in order to provide a background for some of the views I want to present below. I have attended many scholarly meetings, but never one like this, and I find it both exciting and frightening. Exciting, because the main body of Southeast Asian archaeologists is assembled here, giving me a unique opportunity to listen and exchange ideas. Frightening, because I have been learning Southeast Asian archaeology for 20 years, and I know that I have only been marginally successful. Everyone of you here is far better acquainted with specific prehistoric data and interpretations as they pertain to particular countries and regions than I can ever hope to be.