Paper short abstract:

Phnom Kulen archaeological studies has recently evolved with the discovery of an unknown “urban” network and associated features on this plateau located northeast of Angkor. This talk intends to illustrate the interpretation of this network and features, over the angkorian period and beyond.

Paper long abstract:

Archaeological research in Phnom Kulen, northeast of Angkor, has started with the first exploration in the late XIXth and early XXth century. Trough archaeological surveys and epigraphic studies, it was then established that the plateau must have been the former capital of Jayavarman II, Mahendraparvata, in the early IXth century AD. Nevertheless, Angkor has focused most of the attention of the researchers, leaving this area quite unexplored until the 1960.

For more that 12 years, our work revealed numerous and various archaeological sites, illustrating a long and diversified occupation, with a particular focus on key sites such as the mountain temple and the royal palace of this capital.

In 2012, le Lidar campaign has revealed a spectacular and unknown "urban" network, with numerous associated features. This presentation will focus on the results from recent surveys and excavations on these features, major axis, plots, mound fields and various other sites, all revealing a massive organization of the landscape, an important attempt of settlement and an obvious powerful political authority.