Ban Chiang dig gets a lift

The Cabinet yesterday approved a further Bt45-million budget for restoration and preservation work at the Ban Chiang archaeological site in Udon Thani province, Fine Arts Department deputy director-general Somsuda Leeyawanich said.

She said Bt23 million would be spent on landscaping and Bt22 million on public exhibitions, management and accommodations for visitors. The department received Bt11 million for previous projects at the site, where one of mankind's first Bronze Age civilisations thrived more than 5,000 years ago.

The Ban Chiang archaeological site was discovered in 1960 and officially registered with the Fine Arts Department six years later. Excavation and studies of the artefacts began in 1967. Archaeologists say the artefacts were produced from 5600-2000BC.

The Nation