Reconstructing Ancient Stone-Cutting Techniques: Insights from Lidar Survey and Fieldwork in Buriram Province, Northeastern Thailand

Santi Pailoplee

This study presents a comprehensive geoarchaeological investigation of the Ban Sai Tri 4 sandstone

quarry in Buriram Province, northeastern Thailand, an area traditionally associated with the construction of major Khmer monuments, including Phanom Rung and Muang Tam temples. While previous research in Southeast Asia has primarily focused on material provenance and transport logistics, the technological processes of sandstone extraction, shaping, and quarry organization have remained underexplored. This research aims to fill this gap by analysing the multi-stage quarrying sequence at Ban Sai Tri 4 using an integrated approach that combines high-resolution LiDAR mapping with systematic fieldwork. The survey reveals two distinct stone-cutting techniques and provides valuable insights into the labour organisation and technological control exercised by ancient stonecutters. By focusing on quarry production technology and site organization, this study contributes to the broader understanding of Khmer stone working practices. The findings not only illuminate the operational sequences of stone production but also highlight the interconnectedness of quarrying, architectural development, and the logistical requirements of monumental construction in ancient Southeast Asia. This research employs a novel application of LiDAR technology to document quarry landscapes in dense forest environments, demonstrating its utility for archaeological research and the preservation of vulnerable quarry sites.