OHESDC Discusses Archaeological Collaboration with Dr. Joyce White at the Penn Museum

On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Mr. Thitidej Tularak, Minister-Counsellor, together with officials from the Office of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (OHESDC), Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C., and Mr. Metad Chaiputhi, Public Information/Protocol Counselor at the Royal Thai Embassy, met with Dr. Joyce White, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Director of the Middle Mekong Archaeological Project (MMAP) and the Ban Chiang Project at the Penn Museum (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The delegation visited the Penn Museum, Dr. White’s archaeological laboratory, and the Center for the Analysis of Archaeological Materials (CAAM), a research center that supports the scientific analysis of archaeological materials using modern techniques to enhance understanding of ancient civilizations from various regions of the world.

The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on potential collaboration in education, research, and cultural heritage preservation, particularly in the fields of archaeology and prehistoric studies in Southeast Asia, where Dr. White has extensive expertise and long-standing research experience. Both sides also discussed opportunities to promote exchanges of researchers and students, as well as to expand cooperation between Thai academic institutions and museums and the University of Pennsylvania, with the aim of strengthening international collaboration in archaeological research and cultural heritage conservation in the future.

Dr. White led a tour of the laboratory and presented on research conducted under the Ban Chiang Project.

Dr. Elizabeth Hamilton, a researcher specializing in archaeological data management and analysis, demonstrated the Penn Museum’s digital database system, showing the processes for collecting, organizing, and managing research data in digital form. This database is used to compile, catalog, and preserve archaeological information, supporting long-term research and enabling scholars worldwide to access the data efficiently.

Stephen Lang, a researcher and a Keeper of Collections in the Asian Section at the Penn Museum, led a tour of the museum’s exhibition areas, providing explanations on the collections of antiquities and the displays that reflect civilizations from various regions of the world.

Stephen Lang discussed the importance of the antiquities and their role in presenting archaeological knowledge to the public, highlighting how the museum’s displays make research accessible and engaging for visitors.

The delegation met with Christopher Woods, Williams Director of the Penn Museum, to exchange views on potential collaboration in education, research, and cultural heritage conservation.

Dr. Joyce White was awarded the Friend of Thai Science Award in 2020 in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Thai archaeology. Her achievements include promoting collaborative research between Thailand and Laos through the Middle Mekong Archaeological Project, and developing digital resources to support archaeological research in Southeast Asia.

Dr. White’s research focuses on the development of prehistoric societies in the Mekong River region, with particular emphasis on the Ban Chiang archaeological site in Thailand, a UNESCO World Heritage site of great importance for understanding ancient metallurgy and culture in Southeast Asia. She has conducted research on Ban Chiang and the broader region for several decades and has played a key role in disseminating knowledge of Thai archaeology on the international stage.