INDUSTRIES OF ANGKOR PROJECT: PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF IRON PRODUCTION AT BOENG KROAM, PREAH KHAN OF KOMPONG SVAY

Authors

  • Mitch Hendrickson University of Illinois at Chicago
  • T. O. Pryce Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
  • Till Sonnemann Institute of Archaeology, Heritage Sciences and Art History (IADK) - Digital Geoarchaeology
  • Kaseka Phon Royal Academy of Cambodia
  • Quan Hua Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
  • Sovichetra Chan Department of Land Management Urban Planning Construction and Cadastral

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7152/jipa.v42i0.15257

Abstract

The Industries of Angkor Project (INDAP) is the first intensive investigation into the history and role of iron production at Preah Khan of Kompong Svay (Preah Khan), the largest regional enclosure complex built by the Angkorian Khmer (9th to 15th c. CE) in Cambodia. We present the initial multidisciplinary research of the primary iron smelting sites located on Boeng Kroam, a large reservoir located north of Preah Khan’s central temple complex. Ground-penetrating radar surveys and excavation at Location 1, a slag concentration on top of the reservoir bank, revealed that it is a deposit of metallurgical waste from a nearby furnace. Multiple radiocarbon dates from Location 1 indicate that the smelting activities took place in the early 15th century during the time of Angkor’s ultimate collapse as the political centre of the Khmer world. This indicates a re-use of spaces by iron workers after the primary occupation of Preah Khan between the 11th and 13th centuries.

Author Biographies

Mitch Hendrickson, University of Illinois at Chicago

Department of Anthropology

Associate Professor

T. O. Pryce, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

UMR 7055 Préhistoire et Technologie

Chargé de Recherche

Kaseka Phon, Royal Academy of Cambodia

Archaeology Department of Institutes of Culture and Fine Arts

Director

Quan Hua, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation

Institute for Environmental Research

Principle Research Scientist

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Published

2018-09-14

Issue

Vol. 42 (2018)

Section

Articles

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