Chester Gorman was born in Oakland, CA on March 11, 1938. He grew up on his family's dairy farm in Elk Grove, CA. He milked cows at 5 a.m. and then took off for school. Chester attended Sacramento City College, Sacramento State, and the University of Hawaii where he studied archaeology and anthropology. He received an M.A. and his 1st Ph.D. from U of H. Chester spoke 11 languages and could read and write Thai. He traveled all over the world, mostly Asia and Europe.
He has a son Chester Gorman III, who says his father’s major accomplishments are the projects at Ban Chiang and Mae Hong Song in Asia where he was the first archeologist to bring various experts together to investigate the sites. He was also the first archaeologist to excavate prehistoric sites in Pang Mapha and Pai districts of the Mae Hong Song Province. He identified one of the six key traits of the ‘Hoabinhian’ people. The earliest known sites (dated with carbon 14) were investigated by Gorman more than 30 years ago.
At Spirit Cave in NE Thailand, Gorman found evidence of human habitation. He also found carbonized plant remains that he thought may have been cultivated. Gorman later excavated Banyan Valley and steep cliff caves and found similar evidence of prehistoric occupation. Chester Gorman was extremely likeable and had friends all over the world. In the words of his son “he got along marvelously with all.” Chester Gorman died in Sacramento, CA on June 7, 1981.
References:
Harold Stephens: booking@inet.co.th
Chester Gorman III: Gorman@Temecula.com
Written by: Tanya Gould