Angkorian pottery & kiln sites

Recent discoveries of ancient pottery production sites called kilns in the Angkor area are cause of excitement - and concern.

Research is beginning to confirm that what first appeared to be isolated kilns may have been whole centers of ceramic production. Questions such as: How did the ordinary people of Angkor live? may be answered through the study of such kiln sites.

However, they are threatened by theaft from organized illegal networks linking the Khmer villager, the black market middleman, and ultimately the foreign and domestic tourist or art connoisseur.

APSARA has begun to work with villagers and local authorities to encourage full community participation in national cultural heritage protection. Individuals can support this effort by refraining from buying any Khmer pottery without positive verification of its new manufacture and reporting any chance discoveries, as well as illegal excavations and sales to the authorities.

APSARA Authority has produced a booklet about the kiln site pottery, which may be purchased from the Publications Unit

Text written by Ang Chouléan and Ashley Thompson under the supervision of Vann Molyvann, Minister of State for Culture and Fine Arts, Territorial Management, Urban Planning and Construction.

Institute of Khmer Culture, APSARA.

with technical assistance from Ly Daravuth and Masako Marui, Department of Archaeology, Royal University of Fine Arts.

and financial support from UNESCO

Phnom Penh, 1998.

Financial contributions to APSARA's kiln site protection research and preservation project are welcome. Money orders or checks made out can be sent to :

APSARA Authority,

Phnom Penh:

#187, Pasteur St, Chaktomuk, Daun Penh
Tel: +855 23 720 315, +721 150
Fax: +855 23 990 185
apsara-admin@camnet.com.kh

Siemreap:

APSARA Authority, Angkor Conservation Compound
Tel : +855 63 760 080
Fax : +855 63 964 819
apsarauthor@hotmal.com
adm@authoriteapsara.com