Metal arts in South East Asia probably originated around 5000 BP, bronze being the first metal used in this region. It was used for making statues and other tools utilized daily. Some artifacts made of iron were used in approximately 2500 BP, and they were needed tools for agriculture.
In ancient time, trading was conducted by exchanging goods, and later on, the Khmer used metal currency, such as gold, silver, copper, iron, bronze and so on, for commercial purposes. These metals were popularly used in Khmer daily life, covering the fields of economy, society, religion and ornamentation. On the other hand, Khmer people used these metals for making artifacts, weapons, agricultural tools, religious items and other useful daily tools since the pre-historic time. The Khmer used metal for making bronze drums, buffalo-horn-shaped bangles, water-bowls, bells, other iron tools, and gold and silver jewelry. Remarkably, in 1940 during World War II, a French archaeologist named Louis Malleret, conducted an excavation at Oc Ev and discovered 1100 artifacts, such as local figures, deities, Buddha images and Roman coins, dated from the early Christian era. These archaeological finds proved that a commercial relationship occurred by sea trade from Rome to India and then from India to Cambodia, continuing up into China through Tonle Sap and Oc Ev port. This ancient port, located at the coast of the Funan kingdom and spanning over the delta of lower Mekong River (presently in South Viet Nam), played a very important role in the Funan period. The archeological findings from this site were similar to another ancient site at Phoum Snay. Most of these artifacts were bronze anklets, a small copper bowl placed on the corpse’s abdomen, a pair of golden earrings on both ears and a curved copper plate (possibly a head ornament of the corpse). In addition, we can learn from new research at Samrong Sen in Kampong Chhnange province, a cemetery site at Prei Khmeng in Siem Reap province, Phoum 10.8, Kampong Cham province, Bet Meas and Prohear site in Prei veng province. It proved that since pre-historic times the Khmer people could make artifacts composed of bronze, gold, silver, iron and other materials. Here are some samples made of bronze from Phoum Snay and Prohear site, dating from the early 2nd BC to 5th-6th century AD.
According to Andreas Reinecke, Vin Laychour and Seng Sonetra, there were many artifacts made of bronze in the southern Chinese culture located at Kele site in the late Western Han dynasty (202 BC to 9AD). For instance, long buffalo-horn-shaped bangles were found, contemporary to bronze works at Phoum Snay and Prohear site in Cambodia. To elaborate, at the Dong Son culture of northern Viet Nam, dating around 500 BC, drums, weapons made of bronze, as well as some beautiful metal arts imported from China were found. These bronze drums look similar to the one found in a cemetery at Prohear site in Cambodia, specifically, they buried a corpse with the drum and sometimes a corpse’s head is found placed directly in the drum. Also, due to more requirements for Khmer traditions on beliefs and religion, a technique for metal casting developed very quickly. In fact, a statue of Nandi (composed of metal alloys: 80% silver and 20 % other metals) was found from the 7th century at the Toul Kuhear ancient site, Kandal province. Nowadays, it is placed in Prasat Hor Preah Trai, Royal palace in Phnom Penh, along with a bronze Yoni with gilded Linga from the 7th century. A silver-casting image of Vishnu is also found, but today only its head remains dating in the 7th century.
Therefore, the Khmer have used metals side by side, including tools for their daily activities as well as other purpose since the pre-historic time and finally, reaching its pinnacle in the Angkor period. For instance, there are many metal art works collected and displayed in the Phnom Penh National Museum, the Angkor National Museum, Wat Rajabo and other collections abroad. Precisely, by referring to new research at Samrong Sen pre-historic site, Ou Pijoan and Kok Tameas sites, the scholars assumed that they are from the Bronze Age, and for the Angkor Borei site, Oc Ev, Ba Phnom, Phoum Snay, Prohear, Bet Meas, Prei Khmeng, Phoum 10.8, Krasang Thmei, Prek Poury and Sampov Loun sites are from the iron age, the 2nd century BC.
References
Abreviation
EFEO: École Française d´Extrême-orient
BEFEO: Bulletin de l´École Française d´Extrême-orient
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