SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This paper analyses the distribution of Dvaravati period1 sema stones from evidence obtained during survey work carried out throughout Northeast Thailand and Laos.2 In total, 110 sites and over 1,200 sema stones have been recorded, representing the most comprehensive survey of these artefacts published to date.3 By analysing and plotting the distribution of sema and their sites, certain patterns and characteristics emerge. It becomes clear that their distribution follows the courses of the Chi, Mekong and Mun river systems (Fig. 17.1) closely and that sema locations can be grouped into clusters that share certain common characteristics. Furthermore, when considering the distribution of narrative art on sema it can be observe that only 17 sites have sema carved in this manner, with only six of these sites having more than ten sema of this type. Therefore, it becomes apparent that while most of the previous academic literature on the subject gives preference to sema with narrative art,4 this type is in fact the minority, with plain sema and sema with stupa designs outnumbering narrative sema at a ratio of approximately 10:1.