S13-17
Analysis of Pictographs at Phang-nga Bay, Western Coast of Peninsular Thailand
The 11th Regional Office of Fine Arts, Songkhla, Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture, Thailand
Since 1912, rock art sites in southern Thailand have been reported. Among these, 10 sites of pictographs were found in the Phang-nga Bay, western coast of Peninsular Thailand. Pictographs can be seen in the form of figures and non-figures which reflect the way of life and environment in the past. However, the scientific analysis of the rock paintings is not available. The purpose of this paper is to report the result for interpretation. The rock paintings were classified and compared according to technique, form and color by using iDStrech application to enhance the pictures of superimposition. The source and ingredient of pigments are in question. Therefore 214 pigment samples appeared on the rock walls at 10 sites were detected by pXRF and analyzed by the experts of Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University. The analysis results show that most of rock paintings used red pigment. Its main component is Iron (Fe 0.12-13.89 %); Manganese, Titanium and Phosphorus were traced minerals. Reddish brown pigment for geo-matric painting at Ko Khai obtain the result of the component: Manganese (0.10-0.17%), Zinc (0.06-0.09%), Phosphorus (0.11-0.45%) which is the significant distinctive feature. Iron was traced mineral (0.04-0.18%) of samples from black pigments of pictographs at Ko Khao Tao therefor, it was likely made from organic material. These results suggest that rock paintings at the Phang-nga Bay were probably created by several artists who had also different tastes and skills in creating of paintings. It reflected more than one group occupied the area of the Phang-nga Bay. There is a need for further multidisciplinary studies on archaeology, ethnology, palaeoecology, and geomorphology in order that the Phang-nga Bay rock art identification will give information on interaction between human and nature.