Comparative Approaches to the Understanding of Ceramic Production: Evidence from Tropeang Thmor Andet, Angkor Archaeological Park

TIN Tina* and CHHAY Rachna

A study of Angkorian ceramics is an ongoing project extending knowledge from technical production toward understanding the utility of ceramic objects. While previous research provides some insights into ceramic production at Angkor, the current findings coupled with the Great Angkor Project reports conducted at the Kok Phnov community suggest that earthenware products were used to support household demand and served in architectural construction. This research aims to understand the relationship between ceramic production and consumption at the Kok Phnov community in Angkor archaeological park. A dual analytical approach, excavation and comparative analysis was adopted for this study and carried out at Tropeang Thmor Andet kiln site, which is located close to the area investigated by the GAP project in 2011. This 2025 research project included the structural analysis of kiln remains, and the examination of ceramic fragments to determine kiln types, firing temperatures, and production techniques. Findings from this analysis process were then compared with the previous GAP project before drawing conclusions. Excavation findings reveal that the Tropeang Thmor Andet kiln appears to have been an up-draught kiln with two stages of development. The first stage consisted of a clay-built kiln body without fired bricks whereas the second stage incorporated both clay and fired bricks into its construction. As an up-draught kiln, it likely reached maximum firing temperatures of around 1,000°C, suitable for producing earthenware. While the exact date of the kiln’s construction and use have not yet been clearly identified through radiocarbon dating, the comparison of cultural stratigraphic analysis from previous field excavations by GAP on mound 2 and 6 with the current field research at Tropeang Thmor Andet (mound 4) have had indicated activity from the 9th to 12th Centuries AD.