Using In-Slag Charcoal as an Indicator of “Terminal” Iron Production within the Angkorian Period (10th–13th Centuries AD) Center of Preah Khan of Kompong Svay, Cambodia

Research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Preah Vihear, Cambodia, reveals that iron production continued at the temple complex of Preah Khan of Kompong Svay long after its masonry construction phase. Using radiocarbon dating of in-slag charcoal from surface slag cakes, scientists identified distinct clusters of late or 'terminal' metallurgical activities spanning the mid-13th to late 17th centuries, with significant activity between the late 13th and late 15th centuries. This challenges previous assumptions about the timeline of industrial activities in the region during the Angkorian period (9th–15th centuries AD) and provides the first robust dates for such activities in Cambodia. The study suggests that Preah Khan served as an outpost to monitor iron production, leveraging its proximity to Phnom Dek, a rich source of iron oxide.

Hendrickson, M., Hua, Q., & Pryce, T. O. (2013). Using In-Slag Charcoal as an Indicator of “Terminal” Iron Production within the Angkorian Period (10th–13th Centuries AD) Center of Preah Khan of Kompong Svay, Cambodia. Radiocarbon, 55(1), 31–47. https://doi.org/10.2458/azu_js_rc.v55i1.16152