Colonel - Anawrahta, formerly Burma

The history of the Burmese people

Ancient Burmese historians traditionally claimed that our history began before the time of the Buddha (6th century BC). Could our history have begun even earlier than this proposal?

In the eastern Mediterranean, such as Egypt and Babylon, there is strong evidence that human history began more than 4,000 BC. Similarly, in the Wei River Basin in China and the Indus River Basin in western Pakistan, evidence has been found that human history began more than 3,000 BC.

Some have argued that the claim of ancient historians that our history began before the time of the Buddha is a claim that cannot withstand scientific examination. Can we not find in our country, in other countries, the prehistoric people, the early people, the Paleolithic and Mesolithic people, who are scientifically studied?

It can be simply understood that the history of mankind is about the efforts of these people to survive. The efforts to survive are the creations for livelihood. In this process, they have gradually invented and used productive forces and means of production. Here, production relations inevitably arise. Based on the methods and forms of these production relations, people's economy, society, politics and culture have been formed. They have changed. These processes are not strange and miraculous events. They are ordinary processes that have happened as usual, natural processes, and simple processes. This process itself is the history of mankind.

Before Anawrahta

European historians say that the history of Myanmar dates back to the reign of King Anawrahta. So what was our history like before King Anawrahta? What were our productive forces, trade relations, economic system, and culture like? Since when did people live in our country? What was the economic and social life of people in prehistoric times? When did the historical period begin in our country? What was the development of our people from the historical period to the reign of King Anawrahta (11th century BC)? We would like to know the answers to these questions.

These questions can only be answered with solid original evidence and references that can withstand scientific scrutiny.

Is there evidence that can answer this question? Yes. While it is not yet possible to conduct a thorough and comprehensive study, there is a considerable amount of archaeological evidence that can be easily collected from the surface. In addition, there is a considerable amount of linguistic and anthropological evidence that can be related.

Based on all available evidence, the purpose of writing the “Myanmar Before Anawrahta (Ancient History of Myanmar)” is to present the historical relations and cultural experiences of the ancient people who lived in our country, which describe how they struggled for survival during the prehistoric period and the historical period up to the reign of King Anawrahta.

What is the history of the Union?

The history of the Union of Myanmar does not refer only to the history of the majority Burmese-speaking ethnic groups. It is a history that encompasses all the ethnic groups that make up the Union of Myanmar. These ethnic groups appear to be diverse in appearance and language. They have also experienced various ups and downs in economic and cultural conditions.

Despite these differences, the cultures and histories of all these ethnic groups, in other words, the culture of the Union and the history of the Union, can be said to be based on the same momentum or tradition. Their foundations are also fundamentally the same.

The factors and traditions that changed the economy, lifestyle, and culture of these ethnic groups were the same.

Looking for the beginning

What is the origin of the Union culture and history? How did it begin and how has it evolved over time?

In studying this issue, it is impossible to study the Union of Myanmar alone. Nowadays, we see Southeast Asian countries divided by international borders. In the context of the historical era, such border-drawing and division is a matter of recent history.

Geographically, Myanmar is connected by land and water with the countries of Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and South and North Vietnam in Southeast Asia. In this interconnected region, the movement of people, the formation of civilization, the spread and change of people in ancient times did not occur separately according to the country, but rather occurred and changed along the same line, according to the general unity.

Therefore, when studying the early history of the Union, it is necessary to study it in relation to the whole of East Asia.

Southeast Asia and the Beginning of People People are the main thing. People are also the creators of history. If we talk about the beginning of Myanmar's history, we should say that it is the beginning of Southeast Asia's history. If we talk about the beginning of Southeast Asia's history, we must start with the beginning of the people of that region.

Borneo Island

The beginning of early man has been found in Southeast Asia. In the west of Borneo , there is a cave called Ni'a. It is a cave where early man lived. The evidence excavated here, when tested by radiocarbon dating, is quite reliable, dating it to about 2195 BC.

From tiger to human

The earliest known human origin is found on the island of Java. Fossil remains of early humans have been found in the Sulu River basin on the island of Java. This early human is called the Tiger Man. In that basin, as well as in the Dijak region in southern Java, and in the Kelo region near Melbourne in Australia, fossil remains of humans who have gradually progressed from the primitive stage to the hominid stage have been found.

1. Niah
2. Pithican-throid
3. Homo Sapien
4. Solo
5. Wadjak
6. Keilor

How humans evolved after their emergence

Prehistoric geologists believe that this is how the gradual changes that occurred after humans appeared in Southeast Asia may have occurred.

"First, from the form of the bamboo man, to the form of the Sulu man," from which came the form of the Wadjaek Kelo man. From this earliest form of hominid man in Southeast Asia, the form that evolved to this day is the form of the Australopithecus man.

The features of the Australoid people can also be clearly seen among the Salon Malays of the Myeik archipelago and the Sakai people of the deep jungles of the central Malay Peninsula.

How Early Humans Spread The Indonesian archipelago is now separated from the mainland of Southeast Asia by sea. Geologists say that at one time, they were all connected. Early humans did not remain in one place. They seemed to have spread out and moved around. This is because evidence of other peoples who were more advanced than these nomadic people has been found in other areas.

The world found in the Chukotian Caves near Beijing, China

1. Solo Man
2. Australoid
3. Sakai