Neolithic Revolution & Early Southeast Asian Civilizations

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from lecture notes on the Neolithic Revolution, Neolithic cultures in Asia, and ancient mainland and maritime Southeast Asian kingdoms.

Neolithic Revolution

The transition around 10,000 BCE from hunting-gathering to farming and animal domestication, leading to permanent settlements and specialized jobs.

Jericho

One of the earliest known cities (~10,000 BCE) with stone defensive walls, illustrating early urban development.

Çatalhöyük

Large Neolithic site in present-day Turkey (~7000 BCE) noted for densely packed houses and early agriculture.

Hoabinhian Culture

Southeast Asian Mesolithic-Neolithic culture (10,000–2000 BCE) from Hoa Binh, Vietnam, known for flaked stone tools, cave habitation, and rope or leaf-patterned pottery.

Phung Nguyen Culture

Vietnamese Neolithic culture (~2000 BCE) at Man Bac near the Hong River, evidenced by farming tools, pottery, and jade-rich burials.

Yangtze River Valley

Chinese region where early rice cultivation began and likely homeland of Neolithic migrants into Southeast Asia.

Millet

Drought-tolerant cereal grain first domesticated in ancient China and common in early Southeast Asian agriculture.

Artisans

Skilled craft workers who produced tools, weapons, pottery, and jewelry, supporting daily life, trade, and culture in early societies.

Civilization

An organized society featuring cities, complex political, economic and cultural systems, specialized labor, writing, technology, and distinctive art.

Mandala System

Southeast Asian political model in which a central kingdom’s influence faded with distance, forming concentric circles of allegiance.

Funan

First major mainland Southeast Asian kingdom (100–550 CE) with capital Vyadhapura and the trading port of Oc Eo; strongly Indianized.

Oc Eo

Important Funan port city in present-day southern Vietnam that linked trade between India, China, and Southeast Asia.

Chenla

Khmer-led kingdom (550–802 CE) that replaced Funan; capital at Ishanapura and temples at Sambor Prei Kuk.

Angkor Empire

Khmer kingdom (802–1431 CE) founded by Jayavarman II, famed for Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and advanced irrigation works.

Devaraja

“God-king” cult introduced by Jayavarman II in Angkor, deifying the monarch as an earthly incarnation of Shiva.

Suryavarman II

Angkor ruler who commissioned the construction of Angkor Wat in the early 12th century.

Jayavarman VII

Powerful Angkor king who built Angkor Thom and defeated Champa in the late 12th century.

Pagan Kingdom

Burmese kingdom (849–1297 CE) founded by the Mranma; King Anawrahta adopted Theravada Buddhism and built vast irrigation systems.

Anawrahta

First great king of Pagan who unified Burma, promoted Theravada Buddhism, and sponsored extensive temple construction.

Sukhothai Kingdom

First Tai kingdom (1248–1438 CE) founded by Si Inthrathit; Golden Age under Ramkhamhaeng, who created the Thai alphabet.

Ramkhamhaeng

Sukhothai monarch who devised the Thai script, expanded territory, and fostered Theravada Buddhism.

Ayutthaya Kingdom

Thai kingdom (1351–1767 CE) founded by U Thong, enriched by international trade and diplomacy before its fall to the Burmese Toungoo.

U Thong (King Ramathibodi I)

Founder of Ayutthaya who established its island capital at the confluence of three rivers in 1351 CE.

Le Dynasty

Vietnamese dynasty (1428–1788 CE) established by Le Loi after expelling Ming China; known for civil service exams and legal reforms.

Le Loi (King Le Thai To)

Vietnamese leader who led the Lam Son uprising against Ming rule and founded the Le Dynasty.

Hong Duc Code

Comprehensive legal code issued by Le Thanh Tong that strengthened central authority in Dai Viet.

Toungoo Dynasty

Burmese dynasty (1486–1752 CE) begun by Minginyo and expanded into a vast empire under Tabinshwehti and Bayinnaung.

Tabinshwehti

Toungoo ruler who conquered the Mon ports of Pegu and Martaban, employing Portuguese mercenaries.

Bayinnaung

Successor of Tabinshwehti who reunified Burma and created the largest empire in mainland Southeast Asia of his time.

Maritime Jade Road

Prehistoric sea-based trade network (2000 BCE–500 CE) linking the Philippines with Southeast Asia through the exchange of nephrite jade.

Nephrite

Hard green or white jade mineral quarried mainly in Taiwan and widely traded as raw material for ornaments in the Jade Road.

Ling-ling-o

Ring-shaped Philippine jade or gold ear ornament symbolizing status and spiritual protection, traded across Southeast Asia.

Batanes Islands

Northern Philippine source and production center for nephrite jade artifacts, including ling-ling-o, during the Jade Road era.

Sawankhalok Ceramics

Durable export ceramics produced at Si Satchanalai, Sukhothai (1200–1500 CE), frequently found in Philippine shipwrecks.

Sambor Prei Kuk

Temple complex in Cambodia associated with Chenla’s capital Ishanapura, showcasing pre-Angkorian architecture.

Ishanapura

Capital city of the Chenla kingdom, near modern Sambor Prei Kuk.

Vyadhapura

Capital of the Funan kingdom, possibly located near present-day Ba Phnom in Cambodia.

Angkor Wat

Vast Hindu temple complex built by Suryavarman II in the 12th century, emblematic of Khmer architecture.

Angkor Thom

Walled city with the Bayon temple at its center, constructed by Jayavarman VII as the last capital of Angkor.

Theravada Buddhism

Branch of Buddhism emphasizing the earliest scriptures and monastic life; adopted by Pagan, Sukhothai, and later Southeast Asian kingdoms.