Paper short abstract:

Bang Kong Kiln was the early kiln site near Roluos in Angkor, Cambodia. This paper aims to discuss the cultural formation processes, product characteristics of Bang Kong Kiln and its connection with China (if any).

Paper long abstract:

Since the Khmer ceramic industries has been considered as the earliest production centre in Southeast Asia during the pre-modern period, in particular glazed ceramics, several archaeological excavations on Khmer ceramic production centres have been conducted from 1990s to 2010s, such as Phnom Kulen, Tani, Sarsey, Khnar Po, Bang Kong, Torp Chey, Chong Samrong and Cheung Ek. The archaeological reports and research papers have been disseminated or published, and ceramic studies between the cross-cultural exchange of Southeast Asia and China has become a hot topic among the researchers. Bang Kong Kiln was the early kiln site near Roluos in Angkor, Cambodia. In Roluos, the early temple Prei Monti were excavated Chinese Changsha ware dated from the ninth century by École française d'Extrême-Orient. It provided an important archaeological evidence for us to discuss whether Bang Kong Kiln production has any connection with China. This paper will discuss the following questions based on the new archaeological data on this important kiln site: First, what were the cultural formation processes of Bang Kong Kiln, from raw material acquisition, kiln building, ceramic manufacture and use and discard of the kiln and wasters? Second, what are the differences and similarities between the Khmer ceramic stylistic variations, ceramic production sequence and kiln technology of Bang Kong Kiln and other Khmer kilns during the Angkorian period? Finally, were any Chinese elements adopted by Bang Kong Kiln craftsmen?