28 August 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

DNA Elucidates Mysteries of the Iron Age Log Coffin Culture in Thailand

The Northwestern Thailand highlands region of Pang Mapha is dotted with dozens of caves that contain some incredibly odd prehistoric human burials. The region is a historical treasure trove, known for its unique mortuary practice from the Iron Age – the Log Coffin culture.

The individuals were laid to rest in large wooden coffins, most of which were found perched on stilts within caves and rock shelters. In this culture, people were buried in large wooden coffins that were carved with intricate designs and made from single teak trees.

A new study delves into the genetic profiles and community structures of these ancient societies, revealing a complex genetic landscape and substantial connections across different river valleys.

The approximately 40 burial sites are the work of a mysterious Iron Age culture that lived in the Mae Hong Son province of northern Thailand between 2,300 and 1,000 years ago.

To understand the genetic profile of the Log Coffin-associated communities, and the connection of individuals buried in different caves, an interdisciplinary team of researchers from Germany and Thailand has analyzed the DNA of 33 ancient individuals from five Log Coffin sites and discovered a complex pattern of biological relatedness within these early communities.

Over 40 caves and rock shelters in Mae Hong Son province contain wooden coffins on stilts.  Photo: © Selina Carlhoff
Over 40 caves and rock shelters in Mae Hong Son province contain wooden coffins on stilts. Photo: © Selina Carlhoff

The Log Coffin culture’s mortuary traditions appear to be heavily influenced by genetic relatedness. The study discovered close genetic relatives buried in the same cave systems, indicating that familial ties influenced burial site selection. This discovery represents the first community-level analysis in Southeast Asian archaeology, providing new insights into the social structure of these ancient communities.

Despite the difficult conditions for DNA preservation in tropical regions, the researchers successfully identified two distinct farmer-associated ancestries among Log Coffin-associated individuals. One group had genetic ties to the Yangtze River Valley, while the other was linked to the Yellow River Valley in China. These findings point to cultural differences within communities and suggest distinct spheres of influence and migration routes during the Neolithic period.

The complex genetic landscape of mainland Southeast Asia during the post-Neolithic era is highlighted by this duality in ancestral roots. It also offers important insights into the genetic and cultural diversity of the Iron Age population in the area.

Furthermore, the discovery of distinct ancestries with roots in various parts of China offers a novel viewpoint on the demographic dynamics of early Southeast Asia. It illuminates unique migration patterns and cultural influences, deepening our comprehension of the intricate historical history of this area.

However, The new study doesn’t delve too deeply into these questions, such as the significance of long-log coffins and why an Iron Age culture go to such great lengths to raise the long trucks onto stilts.

The study is published in the journal Nature Communications.

Cover Photo: In Thailand’s Iron Age Log Coffin culture, coffins were made from a single teak tree and decorated with refinement. Photo: © Selina Carlhoff

Related Articles

A new temple was discovered in the ancient Thracian city of Perperikon

17 August 2022

17 August 2022

Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) reports that archaeologists have discovered a new temple at Perperikon. Perperikon, an archaeological complex located at...

Exciting discoveries at Accana Mound: 3,250-year-old seal belonging to Hittite prince and Akkadian cuneiform texts discovered

19 November 2021

19 November 2021

A 3250-year-old seal of the Hittite prince and a 3400-year-old cuneiform tablet was found in Accana Höyük (Mound) in the...

Experts believe the 7,000-year-old circular stone structures were once houses, complete with doorways and roofs in Saudi Arabia

16 July 2024

16 July 2024

Archaeologists have excavated eight ancient “standing stone circles” in Saudi Arabia that they say were used as houses. Eight of...

Romania’s 1.95 Million-Year-Old Hominin Evidence Pushes Back the Timeline of Human Presence in Europe

25 January 2025

25 January 2025

A recent study revealed evidence of “hominin activity” in Romania that dates back at least 1.95 million years, making it...

Archaeologists Discovered 1,500-Year-Old Maya Palace in Mexico

25 September 2023

25 September 2023

Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) archaeologists have discovered a palace at an ancient Maya city in southeastern...

Sacred Seduction: Kamasutra Feminism and the Legacy of Ancient Erotic Temples

8 April 2025

8 April 2025

For many, the Kamasutra is merely a name linked to condom brands and erotic chocolates, often dismissed as just a...

A marble slab with an inscription from the 2nd century was discovered during excavations in Bulgaria

18 October 2023

18 October 2023 3

Archaeologists discovered a 1,900-year-old marble slab bearing an ancient Greek inscription in the Roman Baths of Hisarya, a small resort...

New Insights From Researchers About The World’s Longest Aqueduct

11 May 2021

11 May 2021

The Roman Empire’s aqueducts are magnificent specimens of the art of architecture. Although centuries have passed since these aqueducts were...

134 ancient settlements discovered north of Hadrian’s Wall

26 May 2022

26 May 2022

134 ancient settlements have been found during a survey of the region north of Hadrian’s Wall in the United Kingdom....

Roman-era chambers and clay offering vessels found in Antiocheia Ancient City, in southern Turkey

24 October 2022

24 October 2022

During excavations in southern Turkey’s ancient city of Antiocheia, archaeologists discovered late Roman-era chambers and clay offering vessels. Antakya, better...

The New Study, Reveals Invisible Stews

25 November 2022

25 November 2022

New Results of Organic Residue Analyzes of Beveled Rim Bowls in Mesopotamia Reveal Invisible Stews. The world’s first urban state...

Climate and Archaic humans caused the extinction of giant camels that lived in Mongolia 27,000 years ago, a study says

3 April 2022

3 April 2022

Camelus knoblochi, a species of giant two-humped camel, survived in Mongolia alongside modern humans—and perhaps Neanderthals and Denisovans—until about 27,000...

Possible Pirate Ship La Fortuna Among Four Historic Shipwrecks Found off North Carolina

8 August 2025

8 August 2025

One of four recently discovered shipwrecks near Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson may be the 18th-century Spanish privateer that exploded in 1748...

Last Assyrian Capital “Ninive”

7 February 2021

7 February 2021

Ninive is an ancient Assyrian city located on the eastern bank of the Tigris River in northern Iraq, near today’s...

Vindolanda marks the 1900th anniversary of Hadrian’s Wall with an altar discovery

9 February 2022

9 February 2022

The excavation season hasn’t started yet, but the Vindolanda Roman fort has kicked off Hadrian’s Wall’s 1900th anniversary year with...