The diffusion of cultural institutions and values from India to Southeast Asia is one of the most remarkable aspects of the ancient history of this part of the world. By the beginning of the Christian era, Hindu colonization had taken deep root throughout the region from Burma in the North to Java and Annam in the south and southeast. This is corroborated by the discovery of the Amravati style of images of Buddha on the islands of Sumatra, Java and Celebes and on the mainland of Siam and Annam.