| Abstract: |
Geoarchaeological evidence from south central Kedah, Malaysia, and Satingpra, Thailand, suggests that the broad, fertile coastal plains that dominate both areas are relatively recent formations. Important early historical-period (AD 400-1500) trade centers once interpreted as supported by intensive rice agriculture on these plains were not, as the plains did not exist until late in the period. These sites, although landlocked inland behind the plains today, occupied beach ridges and other high ground beside rivers or the coast at the time. They were supported by dryland agriculture on hill slopes inland. Eventually, overuse of the hill fields produced soil erosion, and the coastal plains formed sometime after AD 1200 or 1300.
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