Paper short abstract:

Koh Ker is a promising site in terms of the Khmer culture and tradition. For this reason the chronology of the archaeological complex has to be established. In the present paper the TL dating of eight pottery samples, excavated at Prasat Krachap, is presented. Results refer to a complex history.

Paper long abstract:

Koh Ker is a promising archaeological site in terms of investigating the Khmer culture and tradition. However, by systematic research the overall history of the area can be outlined as well. For this reason the chronology of the archaeological complex has to be established. In the present study 8 pottery fragments, excavated at Prasat Krachap, were investigated by the means of thermoluminescence dating. The additive dose method was applied to determine the age and production date of samples. In some cases the precision of the measurements was decreased by the insensitivity, and low natural signal of the analysed polymineral extracts. However, in general we consider that reliable values were received. Most of the investigated samples fall to the first and second occupational periods of the complex, namely between the 9th and 13th centuries. The differentiation of the ceramics between the two periods is not possible at present. Two fragments proved to be significantly older than the archaeologically expected age range. As these samples were problematic neither in terms of paleodose nor in terms of annual dose assessment, it is highly probable that the received ages are acceptable and there were also earlier occupational periods in the Prasat Krachap area.