Paper short abstract:

New evidence of Khmer stoneware production comes from Cheung Ek, south of Angkor. It reveals a chronology from the 7th – 13th century, similiar to the kilns from the Greater Angkor region. This paper compares evidence for production and technologies from Cheung Ek and the Greater Angkor region.

Paper long abstract:

The study of Khmer stoneware ceramics has resumed afresh in this century after being on hold for many years. This is due to the new discovery of several Khmer stoneware kiln sites during the last years. Many of those kilns are located in the Greater Angkor region, along the ancient roads connecting Angkor to its former provinces, and south of the Angkorian centre, near the modern capital Phnom Penh (CEK). The excavation results of those kilns provide us with a better understanding of kiln structures and ceramic production from the time of the early to the post-Angkorian period.

CEK production center is located far from the Angkor region, south of modern Phnom Penh. According to the recent dating of Khmer stoneware ceramics, the CEK complex was producing stoneware during a similar time span like the kilns in the Greater Angkor region. However, the ceramic production at CEK is characterized by a unique typology, kiln technology, and decoration style distinguishing it from the ceramics produced at the Angkor region. This case study reviews similarities and differences of the various manufacturing technologies and typologies as well as the kiln structures from Cheung Ek and the Angkor region.