East and Southeast Asia have increasingly emerged as hotspots for global political, economic, and cultural interactions. What were the roots and social processes that gave rise to such systems? In this seminar, we explore archaeological evidence for the development of social and political organization and religious practices, using selected examples from East and Southeast Asia spanning approximately 5000 BCE to 1500 CE. We examine four key themes: (1) the origins and timing of plant and animal domestication, (2) the emergence and impact of early metallurgy, (3) patterns of interregional interaction, and (4) the rise of sociopolitical complexity. Using a comparative archaeological perspective—focusing on settlement patterns, urbanism, craft production, monumentality, and diverse material culture—we examine how both local factors and long-distance connections shaped these trajectories. We conclude the course with a reflection on the role of archaeology in contemporary society, particularly in countries where the past is actively curated, celebrated, and contested. No background in archaeology or East/Southeast Asian studies is required. Through short lectures, weekly discussions, student presentations, and a final research paper on selected case studies, students learn how archaeological research is conducted and interpreted. By the end of the term, students are able to outline the broad historical sequence of the region from the earliest food production through the mid-second millennium CE; identify major archaeological sites and their contributions to our understanding of domestication, metallurgy, and early urbanism; and compare the historical trajectories of East and Southeast Asian societies. The course also emphasizes critical thinking and analytical reasoning, encouraging students to evaluate evidence, interrogate interpretive frameworks, and formulate informed perspectives on the region’s past.
All core readings are in English, but students with proficiency in East Asian languages are provided with relevant resources.