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Rice is a hardy plant. There are many species of rice which can flourish (grow easily) in a wide variety of climates and landscapes. Before rice was cultivated (or grown on purpose), wild rice grew in the regions of Southeast Asia now known as Burma (Myanmar), Thailand and Vietnam. Archaeologists believe that rice cultivation could have started in Northeastern Thailand before 4,500 B.C. That would mean that rice has been cultivated in Southeast Asia for at least 7,000 years! |
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Prehistory of Southeast Asia
Pre-history is the study of history before it was written down. Because the earliest people in Southeast Asia did not keep written records, archaeologists study things they left behind to learn about their way of life.
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The evidence found in Southeast Asia shows that the earliest people of the region were hunting and gathering people. Bones of mammals and deer, shells, stone tools and human skeletal remains found in Southeast Asia provide important clues about how these communities survived.
Hunters and gatherers survived on vegetables, tubers (roots), grains, nuts and fruits gathered from the forests.
(This woman is grinding rice with a pestle and mortar.) |
Groups of men were responsible for bringing meat into the diet by hunting wild game. In hunting and gathering societies, survival is a day-to-day activity. These communities shared resources. For example, hunted prey was divided among all members of the community.
