Pupan Tamee, a spirit cave of local community, Thailand Kunasarn Patcharee, Research Scholar in SEAMEO-SPAFA (Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts) Bangkok, Thailand. Online published on 16 January, 2012. Abstract Pupan Tamee is one of 3 caves located on the top of a mountain at 806 metres (mean sea level) at Ban Natong, Phrae Province, in the northern part of Thailand. This cave has been an archaeological site dating prehistory period. The archaeological evidences that have been found on surveying and excavation are stone tools, animal bones, parts of human skeleton and one complete skeleton that according to dating by Beta Analytic Inc., USA is 4,000 years ago. Ban Natong is a small village located on the mountain. Around this village are mix deciduous forest, hills and piedmont plateau. The villages are Buddhists but they respect any spirit, especially the spirits residing in the caves. There are 3 caves on the top of the mountain as Pupan Tamee, Phra, and Runtu. The villagers avoid going close to these caves but all of them are the attraction places of this village. So they always have someone who can serve the tourists without being afraid but with respect. Absolutely no tourists can stay overnight as this is only a day's trip. When SEAMEO-SPA FA got the permission from FA D (Fine Arts Department) to excavate Pupan Tamee cave, we went there from Bangkok and got special permission to stay for working, but we had to run our work under their belief system and with respect. Because of their belief and respect in the spirits, the villagers can protect their resources, both natural and cultural at present. Top Keywords Archaeological Site, Artefacts, Stone Tools, Human Bones. Top |