via Khmer Times, 10 May 2024: Recent research at the Sramoch Canal by the APSARA Authority revealed that the canal, originally believed to extend to Phnom Kulen, does not. The excavation unearthed pre-Angkorian ceramics, indicating the canal’s use for transporting goods and possibly construction materials for Angkor temples.
Tin Tina, Deputy Director of the Department of Research, Training and Communication, the project manager, provided some questions such as: Is this huge canal being dug to draw water? If so, why is it so wide? To transport ceramics from a production site on Phnom Kulen down to the Tonle Sap? Or does it serve as a stone transport route from O’ Thmor Dap, where the Khmer ancestors took the stones to build temples in Angkor? These are the questions that the research team needs to find out where did this ancient canal come from? What is the role for sure?
Researchers used aerial photographs published in 1941 and aerial images via Google Earth to show that the Sramoch Canal, from north to south, exits the Kampong Khleang commune at the banks of the Tonle Sap River across the National Road No.6 atThnalChek village, Dam Dek commune, up to Samrong village, Samrong commune, SotNikum district.
