Summary

The early civilizations of mainland Southeast Asia dominated the major river valleys, and developed from prehistoric societies in which there were strong indigenous trends toward social complexity. Although leavened by the adoption of Indian religions, languages, and architectural styles, the civilizations of Southeast Asia followed their own course to statehood. Through Sanskrit or Pali inscriptions, associated with texts in indigenous languages such as Khmer or Mon, we can identify dynasties and the names of kings who established themselves in palatial buildings associated with impressive stone temples. However, warfare was endemic both within and between the rival polities. These states relied upon rice cultivation and water control for their survival, and the production of rice surpluses in villages little different from those in the area today were deployed to maintain the elite.

In the case of Angkor, there was a strong thread of continuity into modern Cambodia. The Mon state of Dvaravati, however, was overtaken with the intrusion of the Thais, while the Cham states succumbed to the expansionary movement south of the Vietnamese. Many early traditions survive, however, as seen in court rituals of Thailand, and many place names of Sanskrit origin.

See also: Asia, East: Chinese Civilization; Asia, South: Buddhist Archaeology; indus Civilization; Asia, Southeast: Pre-agricultural Peoples; Civilization and Urbanism, Rise of; Political Complexity, Rise of; Social Inequality, Development of; State-Level Societies, Collapse of.