Metallurgy was gradually adopted on the South-East Asian mainland, appearing before 2000 BC at a number of sites, such as Phung Nguyen and Ban Chiang. Copper smelting and casting were taking place at the same time as in the Lingnan region and the Red River valley.
Evidence for this, dated to between 1690 and 800 BC, comes from above the Neolithic cemetery at Non Pa Wai, in an area where there are many ore outcrops. This became the centre of a very important copper processing location, with associated materials extending over 5 ha.
At Ban Na Di in north-east Thailand a man in his thirties was buried some time after 1500 BC wearing a stone bracelet that had been repaired using bronze wire, proof of metal working at this time in Thailand. His was an elaborate burial, and he was accompanied into the afterlife by a selection of figurines and personal ornaments.
