Iron Metallurgy in Ancient Cambodia: Production Dynamics, Traditions and Chronologies in a Southeast Asian Context (9th–14th centuries CE)

Abstract

International audienceCollaborative studies in iron archaeometallurgy in Cambodia over the past decade, particularly through the IRANGKOR project, have advanced our understanding of iron production dynamics during the Angkorian period (9th–15th centuries CE). This research examines metallurgical remains and artifacts within a systemic framework, linking them to production sites, geological contexts, and usage settings, such as iron clamps in monumental constructions. Studied diachronically and across multiple spatial scales, these remains provide insights into production practices and “recipes,” production dynamics, and the circulation and supply of iron, particularly within the central production territory of Phnom Dek, historically recognized for its metallurgical tradition.The study explores the relationships between resources, production processes, metallurgical practices, and iron circulation. Central to the research is the use of provenance analyses, direct dating of the metal itself, and the examination of comparative patterns, providing precise chronological and spatial benchmarks. Combining historical and archaeological sources with material analysis of artifacts and smelting debris establishes a framework for interpreting these dynamics across the Angkorian territory.The resulting datasets reveal changes in metallurgical “recipes” as well as in supply strategies and demands over more than 1,400 years. This presentation synthesizes recent results, highlighting the contribution of compositional and chronological data to frameworks for understanding continuities and changes in ancient metallurgical practices. Situating these findings within a broader Asian context highlights similarities in practices and recipes and their implications for regional technical dynamics