ABSTRACT
Material culture is central in the construction, maintenance, and negotiation of gender categories and relations. Two realms in which material culture is active in these social processes are burial practices and costume (including ornamentation and dress). While investigations of gender have only recently been initiated in South East Asian archaeology (Bacus 2002; 2006; Higham 2002; Higham and Thosarat 1994; Shoocongdej 2002), the existence of a rich mortuary record (particularly well published in English) for Bronze Age (ca 2000–500 BC) Thailand affords an opportunity to explore gender and its material expression, and consequently to contribute to an understanding of Bronze Age gender structure and gender relations. In doing so, this paper highlights new approaches to the study of social relations in this region, and examines material of comparative interest to the archaeological study of gender.
