Samrong Sen Kampong Chhnang
Samrong Sen Tonle Sap · Samrong Sen Prehistoric Site
Neolithic 2300–1500 → Bronze 1500 BCE Samrong Sen type-site·Tonle Sap Neolithic — Samrong Sen circular moat tradition (Mekong)·🇰🇭 Cambodia, Central Cambodia, Kampong Chhnang Province, Kompong Leng District, Samrong Sen sand terrace at Tonle Sap Lake southern rim, 30 km northwest of Kampong Chhnang town, Mekong–Tonle basin, Cambodia
About
About Samrong Sen Kampong Chhnang
Samrong Sen Kampong Chhnang — Neolithic circular mound settlement (2300–1200 BCE, 1500 BP early metal) on sand terrace at Tonle Sap southern rim 30 km NW Kampong Chhnang, excavated 1923–26 by H. Mansuy (EFEO) and 1990s by O'Reilly. Samrong Sen revealed Neolithic Samrong Sen type ceramics (carved paddle ware with shouldered stone adzes) → Bronze (1500 BCE socketed bronze axes) on circular moated mound (200 m diameter) with jar burials and fish bone proving Tonle Sap fishing–farming sedentism. Tonle's earliest moated Neolithic, predecessor to Funan–Oc Eo. Fishpond moat linked to seasonal Tonle inundation (Mekong pulse).
Why it mattersTonle Sap Neolithic circular moat type-site — fishery moat linking mainland Neolithic to Mekong Bronze
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Circular moat — fishpond vs defense?
Theories
- 01Tonle pulse as Neolithic moat ecology model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.2300 BCE Samrong Sen Neolithic circular moat inception
- Period
- Neolithic 2300–1500 → Bronze 1500 BCE Samrong Sen type-site
- Culture
- Tonle Sap Neolithic — Samrong Sen circular moat tradition (Mekong)
- Builders
- Tonle Sap lake fishers and paddlers of Kampong Chhnang
- Purpose
- Tonle Sap lake circular moated fishing–farming hamlet controlling Mekong–Tonle pulse fishery
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.2300 BCE
Circular 200-m moat sand mound founded at Tonle rim
c.1500 BCE
Bronze socketed axe appears on mound
1923–26
Mansuy EFEO defines Samrong Sen Neolithic paddle ware
On the ground
Structures & features
12.2000° N · 104.5300° E · 12 m · 2 mapped features
Circular Moat Embankment
moat200-m diameter circular moat embankment with paddle ware on sand terrace rim
12.2010° N · 104.5310° EWestern Fishpond Jar Burial Zone
burialJar burials with shouldered adzes and bronze axes in western fishpond terrace
12.1990° N · 104.5290° E