Empires of the Southern Ocean

Southeast Asia's archaeological record of emergent complexity remains poorly known to non-specialists, and Dougald O'Reilly's summary of key historical trajectories is a welcome addition to the global archaeological literature. -- Miriam Stark, Director, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, USA Dougald O’Reilly’s Empires of the Southern Ocean portrays the Classical Era in Southeast Asian archaeology and history, when Indigenous populations became inspired by ideas of religion, statehood and empire derived from Indic and Sinitic sources. The wonders of Angkor, Bagan, Champa and Borobudur were combined creations. Indigenous Southeast Asian peoples with their native languages and Neolithic/Bronze/Iron Age cultural roots became infused, via their traders and ambitious elites, with exotic genetic ancestries, scriptural languages, and hierarchical religions. The rest was history, and O’Reilly describes it with enthusiasm and aplomb. -- Peter Bellwood, Emeritus Professor of Archaeology, Australian National University, Australia In this stimulating new survey, Dougald O’Reilly has written a masterly account of the rise and stature of Southeast Asian civilizations. Beginning deep in the prehistoric past, his explanation of how village chiefs led to god-kings will enthral and fascinate. -- Charles Higham, Emeritus Professor of Archaeology, University of Otago, New Zealand A comprehensive, engaging synthesis of the emergence, innovations and trajectories of Southeast Asia’s premodern states and empires. O’Reilly’s new book is a must-have for anyone wanting to know more about the cultural dynamics that make this region so globally distinct. -- Mitch Hendrickson, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois Chicago, USA