Community Engagement and Legal Protection in Archaeological Site Preservation: A Case Study of Kampong Leng District, Kampong Chhnang Province, Cambodia

TAKETH Sakda

Kampong Leng District, located in Kampong Chhnang Province, Cambodia, represents a significant cultural landscape characterized by continuous human occupation from the prehistoric Samrong Sen period (c. 2000 BCE) through the pre-Angkorian, Angkorian, and post-Angkorian periods to the present. The area preserves a rich diversity of archaeological resources, including temple sites, habitation mounds, ancient hydraulic features, and associated intangible heritage such as oral traditions and local knowledge systems. This paper examines the role of community involvement in the preservation and management of archaeological sites in Kampong Leng, based on recent field research and heritage documentation conducted across multiple communes. A total of more than 80 tangible heritage sites were identified, mapped, and systematically recorded using an integrated approach combining archaeological survey, GIS-based mapping, and participatory engagement with local communities. The study highlights how community participation—through local knowledge sharing, site identification, and stewardship—plays a critical role in sustainable heritage management. It demonstrates that integrating local stakeholders into archaeological practices not only enhances documentation and protection efforts but also strengthens cultural identity and awareness at the grassroots level.