In the Shadow of George Cœdès: Jean-Yves Claeys and the Mission to Siam (1929)

A groundbreaking archaeological mission led by Jean-Yves Claeys in 1929, under the auspices of the École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO), revealed significant insights into Siam’s historic cities, including Ayutthaya. Despite working in the shadow of George Cœdès, Claeys contributed original observations and documentation, captured in a 1931 article and a silent documentary film now serving as a valuable archival record. This study revisits the mission's origins and its broader significance, highlighting its role in shaping EFEO’s relations with Siamese scholarly institutions during that era.

Kourilsky, G. (2025). In the Shadow of George Cœdès: Jean-Yves Claeys and the Mission to Siam (1929). Journal of the Siam Society, 113(2), 195–214. https://doi.org/10.69486/113.2.2025.12a