The exhibition depicts the evidence of human beings who lived in Surat Thani from the prehistoric period until today. The oldest evidence consists of many stone tools, earthenware pottery, animal bones, etc., found in the caves or rock shelters in the limestone mountains in the west of Surat Thani. Archaeologists who excavated the sites said that prehistoric men had lived in the mountain area between 6500 - 4200 years ago (as determined by radiocarbon dating). These prehistoric men later came down to the alluvial plains, terraces, or san dunes.          The big change in primitive societies began when contact was made with the civilized societies of India and China through trading. Important evidence of this contact consists of five kettle drums found at Surat Thani. They were imported from south China and north Vietnam to the Malay peninsula in the early years of the Christian Era. Archaeologist have many hypotheses as to the function of these drums :
Buddha in meditation Chaiya School, 6th - 7th century A.D. found at Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya Avalokitesvara 9 th century A.D. found at Chaiya, Surat Thani
For use in the ceremony calling for rain for cultivation For use in the death ritual For use as a symbol of a chief or wealthy person          Other artifacts in the first room represent schools of art in Thailand. When local people established contact with India, Indian civilization flowed to this land. Early can show strong Indian influence, which was later developed into local art styles. For example : DVARAVATI ART Central Thailand, 6th - 11th century SRIVIJAYA ART Southern Thailand, 8th - 13th century LOPBURI ART Notheastern and central Thailand, 11th - 13th century LANNA ART Northern Thailand, 14th - 15th century
Votive tablet 8th - 9th century A.D. found in SouthernPeninsula
SUKHOTHAI ART Lower northern Thailand, 14th - 15th century AYUTTHAYA ART Central Thailand, 15th - 18th century RATTANAKOSIN ART and modern art, 19th century - present Most of the archaeological evidence found at Surat Thani consists of religious artifacts, both Hindu and Buddhist; for example : LINGA symbol of the Hindu god Shiva (symbol of creative power) VISHNU the highest god of Hinduism - he protects the world and the univer
Standing Buddha Srivijaya Art 14th - 15th century A.D.
DHARMA-CAKRA (wheel) symbol of the Buddha's teaching VOTIVE TABLETS symbol of Buddhist diffusion ; most of them have Sanskrit verses describing the spread of Buddhism to this land BUDDHA IMAGE in different positions (mudras) with different meanings BODHISATTVA Buddhist gods of the Mahayana denomination, interesting objects found during excavation: LITTLE CERAMIC VESSELS found around the bases of pagodas ; inside the pots were found pieces of skeletons from cremation. CHINESE CERAMIC VESSELS AND COINS Tang Dynasty, 7th - 9th century GLASS BEADS AND RAW MATERIALS at Leam Pho, ancient port of Chaiya city, 1400 - 1000 years ago
Bronze drum Prehistoric period found in Surat Thani	Head of Vishnu 7th century A.D. found at Thachana, Surat Thani	Votive tablet 8th - 9th century A.D. found in Southern Peninsula
UNDERWATER CERAMIC WARES found in the Gulf of Siam GREATER SHADOW PUPPETS used in the performance of the Ramayana, the great Indian epic OBJECTS FOR PAYING HOMAGE for worship at the Borommathat pagoda ARTICLES OF BUDDHIST MONKS bags, tea set ceramics, spittoons, prayer fans, etc. HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS knife for cutting rice plants, scissors, noodle-making machine, fire maker, etc