Archaeological Sites

Nyaunggan City

A cemetery, near Nyaunggan Village, Budalin Township, was excavated during two field seasons in 1998 and 1999. The excavation involved five pits. Most of the skeletons with bones in situ were extended and supine primary burials, although there was one secondary burial, consisting of a skull in a large pot. (Burial NKI NE-1). The skeletons except the two were buried in the same orientation, i.e. laid with their heads to the north. The two skeletons (NK III M-4, NK IV SE-6), however, had their heads to the south.

The skeletal sample represented forty-four individuals from the excavation. According to the condition of skeletons, only twenty-three out of forty-four burial features are worthy to be described. Twenty-three complete forms and twenty-one incomplete forms were found. Of the forty-four individuals, sex determination of twenty skeletons (46%) can be made: male-thirteen (30%), female-seven (16%) but twenty-four (54%) could not be identified because most of the skulls are compressed, and some are broken into pieces. Most of the skeletons are also devoid of pelvis and if it is present, it is broken and damaged. Therefore only three pelvic bones could be identified for sex differentiation. (NK II NW-10 (2), NK III M-4, and NK IV SE-2) Age estimates are based mainly on dental development and wear, supplemented by evidence from skeletal maturity (ossification and fusion of epiphyses). Age determination can only be made into three groups viz. child, middle age, and old age. The age ranges of four skeletal remains are identified. (NK III M-1, NK IV SE-1, NK IV SE-4 and NK IV SE-18).

From the limited observations possible, there was no evidence to confirm the absence of disease. Comments on health are therefore limited to dental observations. From the evidence we now have, the dentition appeared to be healthy. As there are no publications on prehistoric skeletal samples so far, this is the first attempt to study systematically any prehistoric skeletal remains in Myanmar. In January 1998, the Department of Archaeology, Ministry of Culture, carried out excavations. Four pits yielded a series of inhumation burials. The latest discovery of Pit-5 was made in May 1999. There is a sample of forty-four burials with the skeletons in various states from almost complete to minimal representation. The skeletal remains were found in various patterns. Some are in complete forms and some are in incomplete forms. In some places, only a single or two or three pieces of bones were found. Most of the skeletons were laid with the head orientated to the north and the skeleton is usually surrounded by many pots.

The three main types of artefacts recovered are: ceramics, bronzes and stone artefacts. In connection with the burial practice, pots of various types and sizes were found. Stone artifacts include rings and beads. Bronze tools but not ornaments were found on some of the skeletons. They include spearheads, arrowheads and axes. The site in fact lacks any evidence of local manufacturing e.g. no crucibles or moulds as are commonly found in Bronze Age burials in Thailand and Vietnam. (Ban Prasat, Nong Nor, Non Nok Tha, Dong Khoi, Dong Dau, Ban Na Di). On the evidence of the bronze implements found at these graves, it is assumed that the graves date back to 3500-3000 BP. It is expected that this study will fill the gap in the still lost cultural heritage of the Bronze Age of Myanmar Prehistory. The skeletal sample represented forty-four individuals, with variable representation and preservation ranging from complete to minimal. Most of the skeletons with bones in situ were extended and supine primary burials, although there was at least one secondary burial, consisting of a skull in a large pot. (Burial NK-I NE-1).

Of the forty-four individuals, some are incomplete forms as they were buried, assuming the human shape. In some places, only a single or two or three pieces of bones were found. Therefore, for the purpose of clarification and classification of skeletal remains, they will be regarded as complete and incomplete forms. Complete form indicates the skeletal remains in good form of a buried body even though there may not be a complete set of bones. Incomplete form means no form at all. It can be halves of body (upper or lower) or pieces of bones. As soon as the skeletal remains were discovered, the complete forms left no doubt about the fact that the bones were those of human beings. The shape, the form, the number and parts of bones in a skeletal remain confirm the human origin of the bones in general terms. The associated finds such as various artefacts: pots, bronzes, and stones also support the identification of bones as bones of human beings. Only two skulls (Burial No. NK II NW-10 and KN IV SE-1) were good enough to be measured for Cephalic Index calculation. The Mesaticephalic type indicates that these are Mongoloids. Twenty-three complete forms and twenty-one incomplete forms were found.

The anatomical features of the skeletal remains are basically used for sex determination. When determining sex, sexual dimorphism (differences in form between males and females) is most pronounced in the skull and pelvis. Sex differentiation can be made by studying a number of significant differences between the male and female skull and pelvis. Skull features of the male are more prominent than those of the female. In general, the female pelvis is broader than that of male for the birth canal. Of the forty-four individuals, sex determination of twenty skeletons (46%) can be made: male-thirteen (30%), female-seven (16%) and twenty-four (54%) that could not be identified. Age determination can only be divided into three groups viz-child, middle age, and old age. Age estimates are based mainly on dental development and wear supplemented by evidence from skeletal maturity. The age ranges of four skeletal remains of Nyaunggan can be determined. (Burial No. NK III M-1 Child, NK IV SE-1 Middle age – young adult 30-35, NK IV Se-4 Child, NK IV SE-18 Old age) The average length of adult (Male) is 5 feet 5 inches, the average length of adult (Female) is 4 feet 11 inches and the average length of child is 3 feet 5 inches.

From the limited observations about health, no evidence was found for any skeletal pathology. Comments on health are therefore limited to dental observations. The data collected are for dental wear, loss of teeth during life, and dental caries, which are all indicators of dental health. None of the children had any dental disease. (Burial No. NK III M-1, NK IV SE-4) Dental data were recorded from many of the adults, although the representation of teeth per individual was not high and there was an imbalance in representation between the sexes, with males having more teeth present than females. In particular, females had more severely worn interior teeth. There was no evidence that the wear was due to other uses of the dentition. Dental assessment of seven skeletal remains of Nyaunggan can be made (Burial No. NKII NW-6, NK II NW-11, NK III M-1, NK III M-5, NK IV Se-1, NK IV SE-4 and KN IV SE-18) As there are no publications on prehistoric skeletal samples from Myanmar, the data are interpreted in comparison with the data from prehistoric sites in Thailand. (Ban Lum Khao, Nong Nor, Ban Na Di: Domett 1999, Khok Phanom Di: Tayles 1999) The terms high, moderate and low are used here as relative terms only.

The people of Nyaunggan had relatively high rates of severe attrition, low mean caries per individual with caries, and low antemortem tooth loss compared with Prehistoric Thai people. This profile is most similar to the Bronze Age southeastern Thai sample of Nong Nor, although the environment of Nong Nor and Nyaunggan are quite different, as Nong Nor is close to the coast and had access to riverine resources while Nyaunggan is inland. The information from the dentition suggests that the diet of these people was high in fibrous and or gritty material, causing a high degree of dental wear, and may have been low in cariogenic foods. From the evidence we now have, the dentition appeared to be healthy.

Since the excavation of Nyaunggan, a number of other similar sites viz.(1) Mon-Htoo, Budalin Township, Sagaing Division (2) Myin-Oo-Hle, Mahlaing Township, Mandalay Division (3) Hnaw Kan, Mahlaing Township, Mandalay Division (4) In-Te, Taungtha Township, Mandalay Division, and (5)Kokko-Kha-Hla, Wundwin Township, Mandalay Division, have been explored and excavated. But no absolute dates of these sites are available yet. Therefore, comparison of the associated finds of bones from Nyaunggan has to be made with those of other similar sites in Thailand where absolute dating has already been done. For example, the workmanship of potteries from Ban Prasat, Nakon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand, are much more refined than those of Nyaunggan, indicating that Nyaunggan is much older than Ban Prasat which dates back to 3000 BP (Ban Prasat: 1991-71). For this reason, it is estimated that Nyaunggan will be earlier than 3000 years BP. Various designs of bronze bangles, bronze ear-rings, bronze bells, bronze coils together with iron rings were also found at Ban Prasat. After 500 BC, iron becomes rather common, and after that time, numerous bronze bracelets and vessels and glass and semi-precious stone ornaments are usually found - sometime in large quantities. At Nyaunggan, only a few bronze tools but no ornaments were found. No iron was discovered at all. Since no such material was found at Nyaunggan, it is estimated that Nyaunggan burials were of 3500-3000 BP.

In conclusion, the Nyaunggan site is a burial site and earthern pottery of various types and sizes were found as burial objects. Bronze tools but not ornaments were also found. No iron was discovered. There is no dated Bronze Age material from Myanmar. No radiocarbon dates are available for the site yet, but on the basis of the presence of technologically and stylistically advanced bronze artefacts and the absence of any iron artefacts, the site is deemed to represent the Bronze Age in Myanmar. The site has been left with the burials in situ, as a site museum and the area designated as a protected archaeological zone. The excavation involved five pits located within an area of 490 sq. m, with a large area of 360 sq.m exposed. The depth of the excavation ranged from a few cm. to 3 m, with burials located at depths between 10 cm and 1.5m. The excavation pits have been covered with shelters of split bamboo, with walkways around the interior walls and fences to prevent visitors from entering the pit itself.

No absolute date has yet been obtained. It is necessary to get thermoluminescence date for the pottery as well as radiocarbon dates for the bones. Further exploration and excavations at Nyaunggan and its environs should be continued with a view to finding additional concrete archaeological evidence to reconstruct the cultural life-style of Bronze Age people in Myanmar. It is expected that from the excavation area further archaeological and anthropological information will be obtained. From the evidence uncovered by the excavation, it is surmised that the site dates to 3500-3000 BP and we thought that we had found the missing link between the Neolithic and Bronze Ages in Myanmar. Since it is the first time in Myanmar that bronze implements have been uncovered by excavation, Nyaunggan site provides valuable evidence with regard to the transition from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age in Myanmar.