The author is with Thammasat University, Bankok, Thailand. The paper describes the discovery of ancient pottery at Ban Chian in Udon Thani province (Northeast Thailand). Thermoluminescence and carbon14 gave dates from the eighth century AD to 4420 BC. The suggestion is put forward that civilization spread west to India and north to China from Southeast Asia rather than the reverse. Excavations are now under government control in order to stop plunder and underground trading. -- AATA