Public Lecture: Research at the Cheung Ek Archaeological Site

Readers in Singapore may be interested in this upcoming talk at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies by Dr Phon Kaseka on the Cheung Ek Archaeological Site.

Research at the Cheung Ek Archaeological Site
Phon Kaseka, Director, Archaeology Department, Royal Academy of Cambodia
Date: Monday, 17 June 2013
Time: 3.30 – 5.00 pm
Venue: ISEAS Seminar Room II

The village of Cheung Ek, located just outside the capital city of Phnom Penh, is known today as one of the most famous “Killing Field” sites. The “Killing Fields” were sites where large numbers of people were killed and buried by Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge Regime in the 1970s. Recent archaeological work at Cheung Ek by Khmer archaeologists have shown, however, that the Cheung Ek area was occupied from a vastly earlier time period. The early historic site which underlies the Killing Fields is significant as it appears to hold the key to a better understanding of early floodplain polities in Cambodia.

Research at the Cheung Ek archaeological site has been conducted in several phases since the year 2000. The findings from the site have slowly developed from one field season to another. Current research at the site has documented 61 kilns, 31 habitation mounds, 11 temple foundations (brick architectural features) and a circular walled site.

Two types of kilns were identified at the site: one type fired earthenware and the other fired stoneware. The earthenware kilns date back to 5th century AD; meanwhile the stoneware kilns are suspected to be dated to a later period, even though the results of the dating are still pending. The research at the site has also revealed a circular, earthen wall with a diameter measuring 740 meters long, or about 54 hectares, making it one of the largest earthworks in Cambodia.

Registration required, more details here.