Survey and Excavation of Phum Snay in 2007–2010

Abstract

The most important contribution of this study in terms of prehistoric Cambodian archaeology is the construction of the pottery chronology. Pottery vessels associated with burial pits have many diagnostic features that may be used to establish pottery chronology by determining the relationships of overlapping burial pits, many of which were found at Phum Snay. Using other archaeological evidence along with pottery chronology, we should be able to reconstruct the Cambodian prehistory. In Phum Snay, seven phases were identified based on the pottery chrono­logy. In the first phase around fifth century BC, the “plaster mound,” a ceremonial structure made from plaster, was constructed in Phum Snay. The plaster mound makers had some bronze materials and red-black lacquered pottery, which resembled Chinese pottery. At the end of the first phase, a great flood is believed to have covered the Phum Snay area around the third century BC. During the second and third phases, people with “customary teeth pointing” on four incisors in both the upper and lower jaws occupied the area. They had rich bronze materials, iron weapons, and comb-patterned pottery vessels. Also, they likely used ritualistic objects called a chakra (iron ring) and an epaulet (pottery shard with iron water buffalo horn). The second and third phase burial pits were large and individuals were buried in flexed positions. Articles interred with the dead were placed beside its body. During the fourth, fifth, and sixth phases, comb-patterned pottery disappeared and finely-polished and extremely thin-walled vessels became dominant. Most importantly, kendi (spouted pottery) appeared. Burial pits belonging to these phases were not large, and articles buried with individuals were placed on top of the body. The practice of teeth extraction was found in some individuals from these phases. The seventh phase around fifth century AD is considered to be a period contemporary with the Angkor Borei period, although there are very few archaeological materials from this phase in Phum Snay.