S59-3

Palaeoenvironmental and Spatial Analysis of Symbolic Rock Art Sites in the Sam Roi Yot Range, Upper Southern Thailand

The First Regional Office of Fine Arts Department, Thailand

Between 2016 and 2020, the author explored a number of potential archaeological sites in the Sam Roi Yot Mountain Range, Sam Roi Yot District Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The aim of the project was to identify traces of human activity that might be present within the rock shelters and caverns of the region, with special focus on potential rock art sites. The study produced evidence of eight new archaeological sites, six of which contained coloured rock art, and two that were utilized for habitation. In this presentation, I will briefly discuss the importance of the new discoveries and the classification of the rock art, as well as the connection between the rock art and habitation sites. Palaeoenvironment as interpreted from the symbolic aspects of the rock will also be addressed.