Chapter IX
A Study on the Chronological Order of the Prasat Suor Prat
Terrace
This chapter is concerned with the interpretation of the chronological order of the
terrace construction from the first to fourth stage. The main samples are the
Chinese ceramics and charcoal fragments. These samples had been collected from
the soil layers of the terrace construction at each stage.
Traditionally, the use of the Chinese ceramic in the Angkor area had been recorded
through the inscription of the Angkor monument during the 10 t h century, such as an
inscription (K. 262) from Vat Prah Einkosei (in Sanskrit and Khmer language).
Coedès, in his study on the “Inscription du Cambodge,” translated into French that
“La pagode moderne de vat prah enkosei, située sur la rive gauche de la siem reap
vers l’extrêmite nord de la ville, Presque en face de la conservation d’Angkor, a
été construite sure l’emplacement d’ancien sanctuaire du Xe siecle. Une stèle
portant des inscriptions sanskrites et khmères. C’est un text khmer de 34 lignes et
demie donnant l’enumeration des biens appatenant au temple de Dvijendrapura,
etablie par ordre d’un roi qui n’est pas nomme, et a une date 890c (968 A.D.) qui
est celle de l’avenement de Jayavarman V. En 890 caka, a la pleine lune de Jyestha.
Il y eut une ordonnance de sa majeste prescrivant de faire de la liste des biens
sacrés, des esclaves et des produits de la têrre de V.KA. à Dvijendrapura, pour les
remettre au Sten superieur du temple (kulapati). Text en piedroit nord ligne 8-17
dit: …….2 neh syan samrit non 4 4 ) cina
45)
3 thmo pi (original text)….2 pointes de
manche: tout cela en samrit. 3 non de Chine (French translation)” (Coedès 1952:
108-115). According to the above text, the Chinese ceramics had already imported
into Angkor during 10 t h century. This information can support to the Chinese
ceramic sherds recovered from the PSP terrace, such as some fragments of the
Chinese white ware found from the foundation trench of retaining wall of the
terrace in third stage. It should be concerned with the Chinese ceramics made for
overseas trade seems to have started from the 9 t h century and increased greatly
from the 13 t h century.
44)
45)
According to Choulean in his translation on the work of Bernard-Philippe Groslier “Introduction to the Ceramics
Wares of Angkor” into Khmer, wrote that the word “non” already disappeared from Khmer language but it was
appeared in Mon language of 11th to 13th century inscription. The word “non” is meant to “ceramic” or liquid
container (Choulean 2000: 155-198).
The word “cina” here is referred to “China”. This word originally comes from the Khmer language that still use
until present day in Cambodia.
- 183 -
As mentioned above, the author was granted and supported by the JICE and the JSA
to join the practical field training program as a training student and assistant expert
of archaeological unit from 1997 to 2004. This program is aimed to promote the
field of the archaeological excavations, preservations and restorations of the
Khmer architectural monuments as a world cultural heritage.
During studying in Japan, the author had joined a short program to conduct the
training students from the Royal University of Fine Arts, Phnom Penh, Cambodia,
on the field of archaeological excavations at the PSP site from 2003 up to 2004. In
the end of the year 2004, the author had listed up all the documentations from the
PSP site such as drawing maps from the excavated site, recorded papers from the
field, ceramics and charcoal samples which are kept in JSA’s office, Siem Reap,
Cambodia. In order to interpret the construction date of the tower and its terrace as
well as the function of the PSP terrace and tower, in the middle and the end of the
years 2005 and 2006, the author had selected and analyzed unearthed Chinese
ceramics collected from the PSP site by classifying them into type. Moreover,
charcoal samples were also collected and brought to Japan for chemical
analyzing 4 6 ) in Paleo Labo limited company of the Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
To date the construction of the terrace in each stage the author had selected
excavated trench I, in front of Tower N2, as a main considering example of the
terrace construction. Because of the trench is quite clearly shown its related soil
stratigraphy and features from one to another stage of the terrace morphology. All
ceramics collected from trench I had been analyzed and classified into type through
their chronological context. Moreover, for more precise dating, the author had
selected samples from trench Q to make analysis for the construction date of the
terrace in each stage. However, based on limited time, the classification of
ceramics from trench Q did not finish yet. So, in this study, only ceramics from
trench I had been classified and made a table list as shown in the below table 13.
Section 1
The Use of Model Classification of the Chinese Ceramics from
Dazaifu Site
As a reason, many Chinese ceramic sherds unearthed from various sites in the
Angkor area, including the PSP site has not been studied yet. It is known that the
46)
The analysis of charcoal samples was funded and aided by the Japan Science Society (JSS) grant in 2005.
- 184 -
discovery of the Chinese ceramics was reported only sporadically in Cambodia and
has no systematic studies have been made in the past. Until recent day, there is also
no systematic study on the Chinese ceramics in Cambodia. However, in Japan,
there are several systematic studies on the Chinese ceramic and these studies are
very useful data for dating the ancient site. Therefore, in this study, to study on the
chronological context of the Chinese ceramics recovered from the PSP terrace, the
author had decided to use the model form of the classification of the Chinese
ceramics excavated from Dazaifu site in Kyushu prefecture, and other sites of
Japan (Yamamoto 2000). The study on the Chinese ceramics from the PSP terrace
have been conducted through the guidance of Yamamoto, a specialist of the
Chinese ceramics, who made the classification and chronological context of the
Chinese ceramics from Dazaifu site. However, it should be noted that some of the
Chinese ceramics unearthed from the PSP terrace do not analogue to the Chinese
ceramics from many sites in Japan. In this case, the other sources from other
studies will be added to complete the above information.
The classification method of the Chinese ceramics made by Yamamoto was mainly
selected samples at Dazaifu site from last half of 8 t h to middle 14 t h centuries by
mean to show the systematical classification of trade ceramics, chronology, and
excavated tendency. The classification of the Chinese ceramics and chronological
context was the most successful work for the Dazaifu site. The classification of the
Chinese ceramics is included white ware, celadon bowl, shallow bowls, through
their types. The classification of the Chinese ceramics was related to local
earthenware chronology unearthed at the same layer. The standard of classification
was related to individual part of the artifact, type and group was important point.
At the end of classification of new detected extension samples in a series are
possibly considered. This method of the classification not only interpret through
art viewpoint of decoration, but the important point is drawing the conclusion with
type, method of making, paste, glazed applying method, fire method were
predominated judging of the Chinese ceramics. Dazaifu is a well-preserved site and
has produced excellence result. As types of haji ware (earthed ware) at Dazaifu
usually remained in use for only 30 to 50 years, they can be used effectively to date
cultural layers and related materials. Between the 8 t h and 14 t h centuries there are
several cultural phases at Dazaifu. The chronological scheme presented in table 9
has been developed after cross-examination and repeated studies.
- 185 -
Table 9
Chronology of Trade Ceramics and Dazaifu Haji Wares
(Yamamoto 2000)
- 186 -
Haji ware at Dazaifu site can divide into 20 types and using these as dating tools,
the Chinese ceramics found in context with haji ware at Dazaifu site can then be
lined up accordingly. It was possible to date a certain number of haji sherds
epigraphically, for dated wooden slips have been found in context with these wares.
Such absolute dates allow one to assign periods of use to the materials.
When the haji ware and the Chinese ceramics found together are lined up in the
same table, it is evident that the Chinese ceramics usually remained in use for a
longer period of time than haji ware. So it is necessary to have separate ceramic
phases for the two classes of ceramics. The Chinese ceramics have been assigned to
seven phases, A through G (Table 10) (Yamamoto 2000).
Table 10
Trend of Chinese Ceramics by Yamamoto (2000)
Cl a s si f i c a t i o n/ C hr o n o l o g y by Ya m a m o t o
P ha s e
C hr o n o l o g y
Pha se A
l a t e 8 t h ~ mi d 1 0 t h C
Pha se B
l a t e 1 0 t h ~ mi d 11 t h C
Pha se C
l a s t h a l f 1 1 t h ~f i r s t h a l f 1 2 t h C
Pha se D
mi ddle 12 t h ~ l a s t h a l f 1 2 t h C
Pha se E
early 13th~middle 13th C
Pha se F
last half 13th~early 14th C
Pha se G
early 14th~middle 14th C
The Chinese ceramics at Dazaifu have been classified into ware. The main classes
are white porcelain, Yue celadon, Londguan celadon, and Tong-an celadon from
China and early Koryo celadon from Korea.
White porcelain can be divided into five groups, each of which contains one or
more types:
(1)
Type I – Ding or Xing wares from Hebei province
(2)
Type XI
(3)
Bowl Types II, XII, and XIII, and Plate Type V, VI and VII – from
Guangdong province
(4)
Bowl Types III, IV, V and VI, and Plate Types II and IV – from Fujian and her
neigh bouring provinces
(5) Type
- 187 -
Yue celadon contains two groups:
(6)
Type I and II – from Zhejiang province. Type II might be from Jangkou kiln
in northern Fujian
(7)
Type III
Longquan celadon contains four groups
(8)
Bowl Types I-2, I-3 and I-4, small bowl type I and plate type I – from
Zhejiang
(9)
Type I-5a and type I-5b
(10)
Type III
(11)
Type IV
Tong-an celadon contains one group
(12)
Type I – from Fujian province
Early Koryo celadon also contains one group
(13)
Types I, II and III
Zhejiang green glazed wares occur in all seven phases as shown in the following.
Phase A: Late of the 8 t h to mid of the 10 t h centuries
Yue Celadon Type I and II occur in stage A. Type I is the finer product of two.
Type is coarse with a paste that contains black impurities, and has a layer of slip
underneath the glaze. Only small numbers of the wares have been unearthed in late
eight century layers. The quantity increases toward the end of the second half of
the ninth century.
Phase B: Late of the 10 t h to mid of the 11 t h centuries
Yue Celadon Type III appears in this phase. It is easy to confuse fragments of types
I and III as their pastes and glaze colors are similar. However, they have different
bases, spur-marks, glaze patterns and line decorations. Type I vessels have
- 188 -
unglazed foot-ring lips, where the glaze was scraped off after the entire vessel had
been fully glazed. Type III vessels have neatly trimmed foot-rings, some of them
made separately and then attached (Pl.1A-B). With only a few exceptions, such
vessels have glaze on the foot-ring lip. Compared with type I and II sherds in Phase
A, the quantity of type III sherds present during Phase B is relatively small.
Phase C: Last half of the 11 t h to first half of the 12 t h centuries (Fig. 65)
Yue
celadon
seems
to
have
declined
during
this
stage,
while
early
Longquan/Tong-an Celadon Type 0 and Yaozhou celadon begin to emerge. On the
whole, Phase C contexts do not have too much Chinese celadon; the gap seems to
have been filled by Early Koryo celadon from Korea. The Chinese celadon of this
phase is represented by Early Longquan/Ton-an Celadon Type 0. The type 0
ceramics have the following characteristics: the part below the rim is slightly
curved and the body profile is almost conical. The overall body form is not too
different from that of Tong-an Type I Bowls but does differ from the form of bowls
in Longquan Celadon Type I Bowls, which have a round and heavy lower part. The
exterior surface of Early Longquan/Tong-an Celadon Type 0 vessels has vertical,
carved lines executed by holding a sharp tool sideways. The interior has floral
designs carved in the same sideways fashion with additional dense combed
patterns.
Fig. 65. Model Classification of Celadon Bowls from Dazaifu related to Longquan
and Tong-an kilns, 0 Type, Dazaifu 4-site SE113 (first half 12 t h C), Hataka
well No. 39 (first half 12 t h C) (Yamamoto 2000).
- 189 -
Phase D: Middle of the 12 t h to last half of the 12 t h century (Fig. 66)
This stage sees the emergence and increase of Longquan Celadon Type I bowls:
Type I-1 (plain); Types I-2 (which have carved patterns on the interior), and I-6
(which has lotus petals on the exterior and carved decorations on the interior).
Fig. 66.
Model Classification of Celadon Bowls related to Longquan kiln,
Phase D, Type I~II (Yamamoto 2000).
- 190 -
Phase E: Early of the 13 t h to middle of the 13 t h century
During this stage the Longquan Celadon Types I-5a and I-5b bowls become
common. On their exteriors, the bowls have lotus petals carved sideways. Type I-5a
has a double-line as the outline of the petal, whereas Type I-5b has an additional
crest-line in the middle of the petal. Such bowls increase in time and become the
most common form of celadon in the mid-thirteenth century. Those with petals in
relief sometimes carry an impressed seal mark on the interior base. Type I-5c has a
flower and grass impressed pattern; it emerges later than the other.
Phase F: Last half of the 13 t h to early of the 14 t h centuries (Fig. 67)
The most typical ceramic ware is Longquan Celadon Type III, which seems to be
most concentrated in the late thirteenth century. The vessels of Type III were first
fully glazed, and then the lip of the foot-ring was scraped to remove the glaze.
Pastes are thin and glazes thick. Examples are of the highest quality and have the
ideal glaze colors among Longquan wares.
Fig. 67.
Model Classification of Celadon Shallow Bowls related to Longquan
kilns (Yamamoto 2000).
- 191 -
Phase G: Early of the 14 t h to middle of the 14 t h century (Fig. 68)
Longquan celadon Type IV begins to appear in this phase but there is no solid
information about when the phase ends. From the limited archaeological data
available, it seems possible that the phase terminates at the end of the fourteenth
century or in the first half of the fifteenth century. Type IV vessels are a cruder
version of that of Type III Phase F; bowls and shallows of Type IV examples have a
squarish foot-ring section, and most of them do not have the glaze removed from
the foot-ring slip lip. Some examples have an unglazed circle inside the foot-ring.
Similar Longquan vessels have turned up in the Sinan sunken boat in bearing a
1323 date indicates the year in which the boat went down.
Fig. 68.
Model Classification of Celadon Bowls related to Longquan kilns,
Type III and IV (Yamamoto 2000).
- 192 -
Section 2
Analysis of the Chinese Ceramics recovered from the Prasat Suor
Prat Terrace
As mentioned above, the archaeological excavations and investigations of the PSP
reveal that the terrace had undergone four stages of construction, extension and
reconstruction before it reached the present form. Many ceramic sherds such as
Southeast Asian ceramics (Khmer, Vietnamese, and Thai) mixed with Chinese
ceramic sherds were excavated from construction soil layer of the terrace. The
Southeast Asian and Chinese ceramics sherds are notably appeared in the same
layer. Among of them, the well known age of the productions and kiln sites are the
Chinese ceramics. Many fragments of Khmer ceramics had been excavated from the
PSP site; however, almost their chronological context and produced kiln sites are
still unknown in Cambodia; as Rooney, in her study on “Khmer Ceramics from the
Kamratān Collection”, said that “The dating of Khmer ceramics is still uncertain
and hindered by the lack of archaeological work in Cambodia” (Rooney et al.
1990: 5-6).
Due to the lack of source for dating of Southeast Asian ceramics such as Khmer,
Thai and Vietnamese ceramics, in this study, the author needs to use only the
chronological context of the Chinese ceramics to apply for dating the construction
terrace of the PSP rather than use the Southeast Asian ceramics.
The total amount of trade ceramics is about 16000 sherds were collected from the
PSP terrace. They are including Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese ceramics. Among of
them, 260 sherds were selected (2005) from trench I 4 7 ) and 292 sherds from trench
Q (Fig. 20), but the arrangement and classification had been done only trench I.
The Chronological context of the Chinese ceramics from trench Q had been
observed and confirmed by Yamamoto and the author in 2006. The classification of
the Chinese ceramics was carried out through looking the soil layer and related
features of the terrace from first to fourth stage. However, among 260 sherds of the
Chinese ceramics recovered from trench I, some of them can apply to date the
construction of the tower and the terrace, except for the terrace in second stage,
because there is no Chinese ceramic was confirmed yet. In this case the author had
47)
I t r e n c h w a s s e t u p n o r t h - s o u t h ( 2 m ) a n d e a s t - w e s t ( 3 3 m ) d i r e c t i o n f r o m t h e e n t r a n c e o f To w e r N 2 t o o u t s i d e o f
the retaining wall of the N2 terrace along an east-west side line of Grid N2. The trench crosscut 7 small grids (5×5
m). These small grids were adopted as a unit of excavation. Section belts (50 cm to 1 m wide) were kept on the
border of these grids. The excavation was conducted from December 16th 1995 through January 13th 1996 (JSA
1996: 238-289).
- 193 -
used the result from the comparing data between the terrace in first and third stage,
and the use of data from the analysis of radioactive carbon age to date this terrace
construction.
2-1
Soil Stratigraphy of Trench I and Unearthed Ceramics
The study on the related soil stratigraphy and the features of trench I show that the
features of the terrace in each stage were clearly appeared to see through the soil
stratigraphy on the section wall and its ground plan. Therefore, the interpretation
of the chronological order of the terrace in each stage that related to the soil
stratigraphy remained the Chinese ceramics can be understood.
By counting, one Chinese celadon bowl and 3 pieces of Khmer earthenware were
collected from the terrace in first stage (Table 11). However, there is no artifact
was confirmed in the terrace in second at this time. There are 51 pieces of the
Chinese ceramics and 57 pieces of Khmer wares were collected from terrace in
third stage. There are 77 pieces of Chinese ceramics, 14 pieces of Khmer ware, 1
piece of Thai ceramics, 6 pieces of Vietnamese ceramics, and 3 pieces of unknown
sherds were collected from the terrace in fourth stage (Table 11). In conclusion, the
amount of ceramics recovered from the terrace in third and fourth stages are high.
Moreover, there are 47 pieces of unknown layer of the ceramics were collected
from trench I (Table 12).
Table 11
Chinese Ceramics and Non-Chinese Ceramics recovered from
Trench I of the PSP Terrace
Terraces
1 s t s t a ge
2 n d st a g e
3 r d st a g e
4 t h s t a ge
Chinese
1
0
51
77
Kh me r
3
?
57
14
Thai
0
0
0
1
Viet na me se U n - i d e n t i f y
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
3
Total
4
0
108
101
213
Table 12
Ceramics Unknown Layer from Trench I of the PSP Terrace
Ch i n e se
Kh me r
2
44
Thai
Viet na me se
Total
1
47
- 194 -
The study on the soil stratigraphy of trench I (Fig. 69), see also Chapter VI section
4 part 4-1 at 4-1-1-3 Table 5. The construction soil of the terrace in first stage can
range from Layer a2-6 through Layer a2-17, the second stage can range from Layer
3c’ through Layer a4-8 and a4-9, the third stage can range from Layer 3a through
Layer 4d, while Layer 1 and 2 are the soil of the terrace in fourth stage (Fig. 69).
The arrangement works and classifications of the Chinese ceramics from trench I
had done from August 2004, December 2005, and August 2006. The 213 pieces of
the ceramics had been classified into three groups: the first group comes from first
stage, the second group comes from the third stage, and the third group comes from
the fourth stage. These ceramic sherds can be classified into celadon, white wares,
qingbai 4 8 ) , blue-and-white wares bowl, cup, pots and lidded boxes as shown in
below Table 13.
The classifications of the Chinese ceramics recovered from trench I was basically
came from a study on the comparisons of the ceramics excavated from the Dazaifu
site which had been conducted by Yamamoto (archaeologist specializes on Chinese
ceramics) from 2004 through 2006.
The observation on the result from the classification of the Chinese ceramics from
trench I shows that the ceramics belong to phase A and B (Dazaifu) did not appear
in this time; however phase C, D, E, F, G and other phase appeared from the terrace
in first, third, and fourth stage. Moreover, white and bluish-white lidded boxes are
notably appeared from the terrace in third and fourth stage. Phase G is very rich
amount of the ceramics if compare to the other phases.
48)
Qingbai is a Chinese word for the bluish-white ware. It was very popular produced at Dehua kilns in Fujien
province (Shimizu 2000: 201-215).
- 195 -
Table 13 Classification of Chinese Ceramics from Trench I of the PSP Terrace
(Fig. 73; PLs. 36/37/38)
Terraces
Modification
No.
Layer
First Stage
1
Third Stage
2
4
3
Portions
Product kilns
Type/Phase
Chronology
Reference
Tot.
Longquan and type 0/
Tong-an kilns phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
celadon bowl
Longquan kiln type II /
phase E
early 13th-middle
13th C
Yamamoto
1
4
celadon bowl,
body
Longquan kiln type I-3a/
phase D?
middle 12th-last
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
4
4
white bowl
Ding kiln
type I × XI / 8th to 12th C
phase A~C
Yamamoto
1
5
4
white box,
mouth-rim
Tehua kiln?
phase G
Yamamoto
1
6
3
celadon bowl,
mouth-rim
Longquan kiln type IIb ×
early 13th-middle
IV / phase E 13th C
Yamamoto (5)=[1]
7
3
celadon bowl,
mouth-rim/body
early 13th-middle
Longquan kiln type IIb ×
IVb / phase 13th C × last half
E × F
13th-early 14th C
Yamamoto (6)=[1]
8
3
celadon bowl,
foot-ring
Fujien kilns
9
3
white bowl,
mouth-rim
Jingdezen kiln Morita
group B? /
phase G
10
3
white bowl? ×
box?
last half 13th-early
bowl type
IV? × phase 14th C
F?
11.1
3
white box body ×
small jar
phase C
11.2
3
white box body ×
small jar
12
3
celadon bowl,
foot-ring
13
3
14.1
a-16 celadon bowl,
foot-ring
early 14th-middle
14th C
phase F × G last half 13th-early
14th C × early
14th-middle 14th C
Yamamoto
1
Yamamoto
1
Yamamoto
1
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
white bowl, body
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto (2)=[1]
3
bluish-white
box?, body
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
14.2
3
white small jar?
phase C × D last half 11th-first
half 12th C ×
middle 12th-last
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
14.3
3
white cup?
Morita
group B? /
phase G
early 14th-middle
14th C
Yamamoto
1
14.4
3
white bowl?,
piece
type XI /
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
14.5
3
white
bluish-white
bowl, piece
×
phase C~D
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~ early
12th-middle 12th C
Yamamoto
1
14.6
3
white
bluish-white
bowl?
×
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
14.7
3
white
bluish-white
p l a t e , b o t t o m?
×
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
15.1
3
bluish-white box,
body
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
15.2
3
White bluishwhite box, body
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
Yaozhou kiln
Ding kiln
Tehua kiln?
- 196 -
early 14th-middle
14th C
Third Stage
16.1
3
bluish-white box,
body
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
16.2
3
bluish-white box,
bottom
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
17
3
bluish-white box, Tehua kiln?
body
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
18.1
3
bluish-white box,
body
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
18.2
3
bluish-white box,
body
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
18.3
3
bluish-white box,
body
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
18.4
3
bluish-white box,
cover
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
18.5
3
bluish-white box,
body
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
18.6
3
bluish-white box,
body
phase D~
early 12th-middle
12th C~
Yamamoto
1
18.7
3
bluish-white
×
white box, piece
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
18.8
3
white
× Tehua kiln?
bluish-white box,
cover
Yamamoto
1
18.9
3
bluish-white
plate, piece
Yamamoto
1
18.10
3
bluish-white
bowl, piece
Yamamoto
1
19
3
white
× Tehua kiln?
bluish-white box,
cover
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
20.1
3
white
×
bluish-white box,
cover
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
20.2
3
bluish-white box,
body
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
21
3
white bowl, piece
phase B × C last half 10th middle 11th C ×
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
22.1
3
bluish-white
bowl, piece
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
22.2
3
bluish-white,
piece
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
22.3
3
white
bluish-white,
piece
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
22.4
3
bluish-white
p l a t e , b o t t o m?
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
23
3
white bowl, body
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
24
3
white small jar,
cover
Guangdong
kiln
type
II/phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
25
3
celadon jar,
cover?
Fujien kilns
phase F ×
G?
last half 13th-early
14th C × early
14th-middle 14th
C?
Yamamoto
1
26
3
white bowl, piece Fujien kilns
Yamamoto
1
27
3
celadon bowl,
body
Yamamoto
1
phase D~E
×
early 12th-middle
12th C ~ early
13th-middle 13th C
phase C × D last half 11th-first
half 12th C ×
middle 12th-last
half 12th C
Longquan kiln type IV~ /
phase G~
- 197 -
early 14th-middle
14th C~
Yamamoto (2)=[1]
Third Stage
Fourth stage
early 13th-middle
13th C
Yamamoto
1
phase D~
middle 12th-last
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
phase D~
middle 12th-last
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
Longquan kiln type IV /
phase G
early 14th-middle
14th C
Yamamoto
1
celadon bowl,
foot-ring
Longquan kiln type IV /
phase G
early 14th-middle
14th C
Yamamoto
1
2
celadon bowl,
foot-ring and
mouth-rim
Longquan kiln type IV /
phase G
early 14th-middle
14th C
Yamamoto (4)=[1]
32
2
bluish-white jar ×
plate
11th C~14th C
Yamamoto
1
33.1
2
celadon large
dish, mouth-rim
Longquan kiln type IV /
phase G
early 14th-middle
14th C
Yamamoto
1
33.2
2
celadon large
dish, mouth-rim
14th C~15th C
Longquan kiln type IV~
Ueda type II
/ phase G~H
Yamamoto
1
34.1
2
celadon bowl,
mouth-rim
last half 13th-early
Longquan kiln type III ×
IV / phase F 14th C × early
× G
14th-middle 14th C
Yamamoto
1
celadon bowl,
body
Longquan kiln type III /
phase G
early 14th-middle
14th C
Yamamoto
1
early 14th-middle
14th C
Yamamoto
1
Yamamoto
1
28
3
celadon bowl,
mouth-rim
29.1
3
bluish-white box,
cover
29.2
3
bluish-white box,
cover
30.1
2
celadon bowl,
foot-ring
30.2
2
31
34.2
Longquan kiln type IIb /
phase E
phase C~
early G
34.3
2
celadon bowl,
mouth-rim
Longquan kiln type IV /
phase G
34.4
2
celadon bowl,
mouth-rim
Longquan kiln type I/phase middle 12th-last
D
half 12th C
34.5
2
celadon bowl,
mouth-rim
Longquan kiln type IV /
phase G
early 14th-middle
14th C
Yamamoto
1
35
2
celadon box,
cover?
Longquan kiln type IV /
phase G
early 14th-middle
14th C
Yamamoto
1
36.1
2
celadon bowl,
mouth-rim
Fujien kilns
phase F × G last half 13th-early Yamamoto
14th C × early
14th-middle 14th C
1
36.2
2
celadon bowl,
mouth-rim
Fujien kilns
phase F × G last half 13th-early
14th C × early
14th-middle 14th C
Yamamoto
1
36.3
2
celadon bowl,
body
14th C~15th C
Longquan kiln type IV ×
Ueda type II
/phase G~H
Yamamoto
1
37
2
blue-and-white
bowl, body
Jingdezen kiln phase H~
Yamamoto
1
38.1
2
white bowl,
mouth-rim
type VII2?? last half 11th-first
/ phase C × half 12th C ×
D?
middle 12th-last
half 12th C?
Yamamoto
1
38.2
2
white plate, body
Morita
group B /
phase G
early 14th-middle
14th C
Yamamoto
1
39.1
2
bluish-white box,
body
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
39.2
2
bluish-white box
× plate, bottom
middle 12th-last
Song
period?
half 12th C × last
phase D × F half 13th-early
14th C
Yamamoto
1
39.3
2
white box, cover
39.4
2
white box, body
39.5
2
White bluishwhite box, body
Fujien kilns
middle 14th~last
half 14th C
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
Yamamoto
1
Tehua kiln
- 198 -
Fourth stage
39.6
2
39.7
2
bluish-white box,
piece
1
39.8
2
white box, body
40.1
2
bluish-white
plate, mouth-rim
40.2
2
white box ×
Tehua kiln?
plate, mouth-rim
40.3
2
white × bluish
white box, piece
40.4
2
40.5
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
phase C × D last half 11th-first
half 12th C ×
middle 12th-last
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
14th C?
Yamamoto
1
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
white bowl,
mouth-rim
phase C ×
D~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C ×
middle 12th -last
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
2
white box, cover
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
41
2
bluish-white box, Tehua kiln??
cover
phase F × G last half 13th-early
14th C × early
14th-middle 14th C
Yamamoto
1
42
2
white
mouth-rim
phase F × G last half 13th-early
14th C × early
14th-middle 14th C
Yamamoto
1
43
2
white bowl,
mouth-rim
Yamamoto
1
44
2
green glaze small Fujien kilns
jar, piece
last half 11th-first
Song
period?
half 12th C ×
phase C× D middle 12th-last
half 12th C
group C /
11th~14th C
phase C~G
Yamamoto
1
45.1
2
celadon bowl,
body
Fujien kilns?
phase F × G last half 13th-early Yamamoto
14th C × early
14th-middle 14th C
1
45.2
2
celadon bowl,
mouth-rim
Fujien kilns
phase F × G last half 13th-early
14th C × early
14th-middle 14th C
Yamamoto
1
46
2
bluish-white box,
bottom
Yamamoto
1
47
2
green glaze jar,
body
Fujien kiln
group C /
phase C~G
Yamamoto
1
48
2
celadon box,
cover
Fujien kilns
phase F × G last half 13th-early
14th C × early
14th-middle 14th C
Yamamoto
1
49
2
50
2
51
2
bluish-white
small jar, body
52
2
blue-and-white
bowl, body
53
2
celadon bowl,
foot-ring
Longquan kiln type I2~IV
/phase D
54.1
2
celadon bowl?,
body
54.2
2
celadon bowl,
body
55.1
2
blue-and-white
bowl, mouth-rim
Vietnam
55.2
2
blue-and-white
bowl, mouth-rim
55.3
2
blue-and-white
Fujien kilns
cup?, Tehua kiln
phase D~
middle 12th-last
half 12th C~
11th~14th C
1
1
middle 12th-last
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
16th C
Yamamoto
1
middle 12th-last
half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
Fujien kilns × phase F × G last half 13th-early
Yaozhou
14th C × early
kiln??
14th-middle 14th C
Yamamoto
1
phase F × G last half 13th-early
14th C × early
14th-middle 14th C
Yamamoto
1
14th C~15th C
Yamamoto
1
Vietnam
14th C~15th C
Yamamoto
1
Vietnam
14th C~15th C
Yamamoto
1
phase D
- 199 -
Fourth stage
56.1
1
blue-and-white
bowl, foot-ring
Vietnam
14th C~15th C
Yamamoto
1
56.2
1
blue-and-white
bowl, mouth-rim
Vietnam
14th C~15th C
Yamamoto
1
56.3
1
blue-and-white
box, bottom
Vietnam
14th C~15th C
Yamamoto
1
57
1
celadon large
bowl
Thai
14th C~15th C
58
1
celadon bowl,
mouth-rim
Longquan kiln type III2 × last half 13th-early
IV/phase F 14th C × early
× G
14th-middle 14th C
Yamamoto
1
59.1
1
celadon bowl,
piece
14th~15th C
Longquan kiln type IV~
Ueda type
III? / phase
G~I
Yamamoto
1
59.2
1
celadon large
dish, mouth-rim
14th~15th C
Longquan kiln type IV~
Ueda
type
II/phase G~
I
Yamamoto
1
59.3
1
celadon bowl,
mouth-rim
Longquan kiln type IV
phase G
Yamamoto
1
60.1
1
white bowl?,
piece
60.2
1
60.3
1
white bowl, body
Morita
group C?
Yamamoto
1
60.4
1
white bowl, body
Morita
group C?
Yamamoto
1
61.1
1
bluish-white
small jar, piece
phase D~
middle 12th-last half Yamamoto
12th C~
1
61.2
1
bluish-white
× un-known
white ware, piece
61.3
1
bluish-white box,
cover
before and
after phase
G
before and after
early 14th-middle
14th C
Yamamoto
1
62.1
1
bluish-white
ware, piece
phase C~
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~
Yamamoto
1
62.2
1
white
×
bluish-white box,
body
phase C~D
last half 11th-first
half 12th C~ middle
12th-last half 12th C
Yamamoto
1
62.3
1
white
× Tehua kiln?
bluish-white box,
body
Yamamoto
1
62.4
1
bluish-white box
× jar, piece
Yamamoto
1
62.5
1
white ware, piece un-known
63.1
1
63.2
1
white
×
blue-and-white?
ware, piece
15th~16th C?
Yamamoto
1
63.3
1
white
×
blue-and-white?
ware, piece
15th~16th C?
Yamamoto
1
63.4
1
white ware, piece un-known
64.1
1
celadon bowl,
mouth-rim
64.2
1
celadon piece
65.1
1
celadon bowl,
mouth-rim
65.2
1
celadon, piece
/ early 14th-middle
14th C
1
1
1
1
phase C
last half 11th-first
half 12th C
1
1
1
phase F × G last half 13th-early
14th C × early
14th-middle 14th C
Yamamoto
F × last half 13th-early
14th C × early 14th
-middle 14th C
Yamamoto
1
Yamamoto
1
un-known
1
1
phase
G
un-known
- 200 -
Fourth stage
66
1
blue-and-white
bowl, foot-ring
Jingdezen kiln Ono group
E
67
1
celadon jar?,
piece
Longquan kiln type IV
phase G
68.1
1
blue-and-white
ware
68.2
1
blue-and-white
bowl, body
last half 16thC~ first Yamamoto
half 17th C
/ early 14th-middle
14th C
Yamamoto
1
Yamamoto
1
last half 16thC~ first Yamamoto
half 17th C
1
16th C
Ono group
E
1
The above total amount of the ceramics recovered from trench I is 260 pieces were
confirmed at JSA’s office in 2004-2006. Among of them, there are only 121 pieces
can be used to apply for giving the date to the terrace construction of the first, third
and the fourth stage. They are one fragment of celadon bowl recovered from Layer
a-16 of the terrace in first stage (Table 13; Fig. 69); 4 fragments of celadon and
white porcelain from Layer 4 and 47 fragments of celadon, white and bluish-white
porcelain recovered from the terrace in third stage (Table 13; Fig. 69); and 44
fragments of celadon, white and bluish-white porcelain recovered from Layer 2 and
26 fragments of celadon, white, bluish-white and blue-and-white porcelain
recovered from the terrace in fourth stage.
The soil stratigraphy related to the features of the terrace in each stage including
the chronological context of the Chinese ceramics as shown in the above Table 5
and Table 13 (soil description see Table 5 Chapter VI section 4 part 4-1 at 4-1-1-3)
was from trench I (Fig. 69).
The probable date of the Chinese ceramics recovered from the PSP is mainly
getting from the source of the chronological context of the Chinese ceramics from
Dazaifu site and other sites in Japan (Yamamoto 1994: 169-185, 2000; Ono 1982:
71-87; Morita 1982: 49-54; Ueda 1982: 55-70). The figures below (Figs. 70/71/72)
are the model classification and dating of the Chinese ceramics from various sites
in Japan. The classification of the Chinese ceramics from Dazaifu was already
shown in this Chapter of section 1. The next one shows the classification and
chronological order of Chinese ceramics from other sites in Japan, studied by
Morita, Ueda, and Ono. These three researchers are mainly researched the Chinese
ceramics from the 14 t h to the 17 t h centuries who continued from Yamamoto’s study
at Dazaifu site. The ceramics collections are from Dazaifu, Kyoto, Kamakura,
Kusadosengen, etc. The chronological context of the Chinese ceramics is mainly
from the Japanese earthenware which they were found together at Dazaifu site. That
is to say, the Chinese ceramics found in different sites but under similar conditions
- 201 -
can be dated more exactly by comparing with the chronological dating of
earthenware found together with the Chinese ceramics.
Fig. 69. Map of Trench I, Northern Section Wall shows the soil layer of the Terrace
construction and its related features
The below Tables 14, 15, 16, and 17 will show the chronological order of the
Chinese ceramics had been made by Morita (Table 14), Ueda (Table 15) and Ono
(Tables 16/17).
Table 14
Classification of Chinese White Wares (Fig. 70) by Morita
(Morita 1982: 47-54)
Classification/Chronology by Morita
Group Chronology
A
13 t h ~14 t h C
B
14 t h ~15 t h C
C/D
15 t h ~16 t h C
E
16 t h C~
- 202 -
Fig. 70.
Classification of White Ware Group A~E from 13 t h to 16 t h centuries
(Morita 19982)
Table 15
Classification of the Chinese Celadon Bowls (Fig. 71) by Ueda
(Ueda 1982: 55-70)
Classification/Chronology by Ueda
Type
Chronology
A
13 t h C~
B
13 t h ~16 t h C
C
13 t h /14 t h /16 t h C
D
13 t h ~14 t h C
E
14 t h /15 t h /16 t h C
- 203 -
- 204 -
Fig. 71.
Model Classification of Celadon Bowls from 13 t h to 16 t h centuries (Ueda 1982)
Table 16
Classification and Dating of Blue-and-White Bowls of the 15 t h to 16 t h
centuries by Ono (Ono 1982: 71-88) (Fig. 72)
Group
A
B
C
D
E
Table 17
Chronology
early 14 t h ~last half 14 t h C
end 14 t h ~15 t h C
15 t h ~16 t h C
late 15 t h ~early 16 t h C
middle 16 t h ~late 16 t h C
Classification of the Chinese Blue-and-White Plates of 15 t h to 16 t h
centuries by Ono (Ono 1982: 71-89) (Fig. 72)
Group
B1
C
F
Fig. 72.
Chronology
late 15 t h ~early 16 t h C
end 15 t h ~early 16 t h C
end 16 t h ~early 17 t h C
Classification of Blue-and-White Bowls, 14 t h to 17 t h centuries
(Ono 19882: 71-89)
- 205 -
2-2
Types of Chinese Ceramics Unearthed from the Prasat Suor Prat Terrace
The main purpose of classification of the Chinese ceramics unearthed from the PSP
terrace is to interpret the date of the tower construction and the chronological order
of the terrace construction. Moreover, the result of the above classification can also
be interpreted the functions of the tower as well as its terrace.
As we knew that the Chinese ceramics are known in production of various kiln sites
in China. The ceramics excavated from the PSP site can be classified into bowls,
basins, lidded boxes, jars, and other un-identified shapes. They represent the three
most common glaze color namely celadon, bluish-white (qingbai) and white glaze
(Table13). The below section will show more detail of the ceramics through their
types (PLs. 36/37/38; Fig. 73).
2-2-1
Celadon (green-glazed stone wares)
The celadon fragments from trench I include related to Longquan kilns, Tong-an
kilns type wares and other celadon made at the related to other kilns in Zhejiang and
Fujian provinces. Concerning with the chronology, they can be ranged from last half
of the 11 t h to the 15 t h centuries (see Table 13, PLs. 36/37/38; Fig. 73).
Bowls
Longquan kiln type is referred to as celadon wares manufactured at kilns in today’s
Longquan in Zhejiang province as well as imitations made outside Zhejiang,
including those from kilns in Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Hubei and Hunan
provinces. This type of bowl was excavated from the terrace in first, third, and the
fourth stage.
Plates
This type is commonly found on wares from Zhejiang and Fujian of the late 13 t h and
the 14 t h centuries. This type of basin was found only on the terrace in fourth stage.
- 206 -
Jar
Some fragments of jar had been unearthed from the terrace in fourth stage; they are
suggested to be produced at the kilns in Longquan.
In conclusion, the celadon wares excavated from the PSP terrace are suggested to be
manufactured in the Southern China, such as Longquan kiln types in Zhejiang
Province, Tong-an kiln types in Fujien province or at kilns in vicinity of the Fujien
province. It is known that mass production of the celadon at Longquan and other
kilns began in the Northern Song Dynasty and lasted to the Ming Dynasty (Shimizu
2000: 201-215) (Tables 18/26). However, some were made sometime between the
end of Southern Song Dynasty and the Yuan Dynasty (Tables 18/26). This shows that
celadon was made at the early Longquan kiln and the Dong-an kiln until the Song
Dynasty, and at related kilns in Fujien province until the Yuan Dynasty (Tables
18/26). On the other hand, other ceramic related to Yaozhou kilns in Shaanxi
Province also recovered from the site.
2-2-2
Qingbai and White Wares
Qingbai and white glazed stone wares are mainly made related to the kilns in Tehua
in Fujian province, and other kilns in Guangdong province. Those fragments were
excavated from trench I. They are lidded boxes and bowls (Table 13; PLs. 36/37/38;
Fig. 73). The below will describe in detail about the type of ceramics.
White and Bluish-White Lidded Boxes
A variety of lidded boxes are represented in the specimens. They include
chrysanthemum-shape boxes, octagonal boxes and circular boxes with different
mould decorations. It was thought that they were imported to the Angkor during late
11 t h to middle 14 t h centuries. Most of them are presumed to be made at the kilns of
Tehua in Fujian province. They are excavated from terrace in third and fourth stages.
Bluish-White Chrysanthemum-Shaped Boxes
A base fragment and a cover fragment of chrysanthemum-shaped boxes are
unearthed respectively from the terraces in third and fourth stages. They are
- 207 -
suggested to be produced at the Tehua kilns.
Bluish-White
Octagonal
Boxes
and
White
Circular
Boxes
with
Molded
Decoration
This type of boxes was also found from the terrace in third and fourth stages. They
have scrolls relief. However, they are rare if compare to the celadon and white bowls.
This type of the box is made for the imperial usage in China.
White Bowls
The white bowl fragments were recovered from the terrace in third and fourth stages.
They are suggested to be produced at the Ding kiln, Tehua kiln, and the Jingdezhen
kiln.
- 208 -
PL. 36.
Chinese Ceramics recovered from the PSP Terrace (they are celadon bowl,
bluish-white box, white bowl, blue-and-white bowl).
- 209 -
PL. 37.
Chinese Ceramics recovered from the PSP Terrace (they are celadon bowl,
bluish-white box, white bowl, blue-and-white bowl).
- 210 -
66
PL. 38.
Chinese, Thai (No. 57), and Vietnamese (No. 55-1, 2/56-1, 2, 3) Ceramics
recovered from the PSP Terrace (they are celadon bowl, bluish-white box, white
bowl, blue-and-white bowl).
- 211 -
Fig. 73.
Figure of Ceramics recovered from the PSP Terrace (they are celadon,
white ware, bluish-white ware, Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese ceramics).
- 212 -
Blue-and-White Wares
In trench I, some wares of this type were recovered only from the terrace in fourth
stage. They are the fragments of bowl (Table 13; PL. 36, No. 66; PLs. 38, No. 52,
68-1/68-2). This type was suggested to be made at Jingdezhen kilns during the Ming
dynasty (Table 18). According to Yamamoto, these fragments of blue-and-white can
be ranged from the 15 t h to the 17 t h centuries.
2-3
Conclusion
In conclusion, many celadon bowls were found from the terrace in third and fourth
stages, and it is very few from the terrace in first stage. The fragments of ceramics
are suggested to be produced at the Longquan kiln, Tong-an kiln, and the Guangdong
kiln, etc. In comparative study, some types of these ceramics can be seen in
Philippine, Thai, Vietnam, and Japan at the historical sites.
A fragment of the Chinese celadon bowl found from foundation trench of the
antechamber of Tower N2 is the most important sherds for dating to Tower N2 and
the terrace construction in its first stage (PL. 36-1). This kind of celadon can also be
seen in Philippine (PLs. 39-1/39-2) and Japan (Fig. 65).
The white wares type from the PSP site is suggested to be produced at the Ding kilns
in the Hepei province, the Jingdezhen kilns in Jiangxi province and the Tehua kilns
in Fujien province, and other wares made at the kilns in Fujien and Guangdong
provinces. The Jingdezhen kilns are most popular known for manufacture of the
white ware and bluish-white ware from the Northern Song Dynasty until the
present-day. As the progressive trade rout, the type ware of Qingbai which related to
period from the Southern Song Dynasty to the beginning of the Ming Dynasty was
exported in large quantities to Japan and Southeast Asia (Hasebe et al. 1995). These
kinds of ceramics are found inside the Angkor area including the PSP site.
Especially, they were found from the terrace in third and fourth stages. On the other
hand, according to the recent studies, the bluish-white ware was manufactured not
only in Jingdezhen kilns but also in other kilns located in Anhoi, Hebei, Fujien,
Zhejian, Jianxi and in Guangdong and Fujien provinces (Fig. 74). These kinds of
ceramics are found from the terrace in third stages and they are useful data for
interpretation of the terrace constructive chronological order. The Jingdezhen kilns
- 213 -
started to mass produce blue-and-white ware/Qinghua from around the end of the
14 t h century for export to East and Southeast Asia. These blue-and-white ceramics
are found almost at the terrace in fourth stages (the 16 t h to the 17 t h centuries). They
mixed with Thai and Vietnamese ceramics on the upper part of the layer.
PL. 39-1
PL. 39.
PL. 39-2
Chinese Celadon Bowls found at the site in Philippine (Andrew 1999,
PLs. 61, 62). This type of celadon bowl can also be found at the PSP site.
Table 18
Chronological Dynasties of China (Tregear 1982: 10)
Chinese dynasties
Chronology
Tang Dynasty
AD 618-906
Liao Dynasty
AD 907-1125
Five Dynasties
AD 907-60
Song Dynasty
AD 960-1278
-Northern Song (capital at Kaifeng)
Emperor Huizong (1101-26)
AD 960-1126
-Southern Song (capital at Hangzhou)
Emperor Gaozong (1127-63)
AD 1126-1278
Jing Dynasty (capital at Beijing)
AD 1115-1234
Yuan Dynasty (capital at Beijing)
AD 1278-1368
Ming Dynasty
AD 1368-1644
Qing Dynasty
AD 1644-1912
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Fig. 74.
The Important Kiln Sites in Southern China.
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Section 3
Analysis of Charcoal Samples by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry
(AMS) Method
There are about 100 pieces of charcoal fragments had gathered from excavated area
of the PSP terrace and they were brought to Japan for laboratory studying. Among of
them only 2 pieces of charcoals had obtained with good result and they can apply for
dating to the PSP terrace. These two samples were taken from trench I, and they are
the sample No.PLD-4597 (Layer a4-8 of the terrace in second stage) and
No.PLD-4598 (Layer a1-7 of the terrace in first stage) (see the below Fig. 75, Table
19). These samples had submitted to the Paleo-Labo limited company in Saitama
prefecture, Japan, for being analyzed. The result from this analysis will show in the
below Table 19, Fig. 76 and Fig. 77.
Table 19
Radioactive Carbon Ages for the Charcoal Samples collected from
Tower N2 and Its Terrace were determined by AMS Method
Sample No. Sampling Point
Calibrated 14C age
14C Age
( y r B P ± 1σ ) 1 σ p r o ba bl e da t e 2σ p r o ba bl e d a t e
-25. 97 ±0. 1 0 845 ±20
117 0 AD (6 8. 2%) 116 0 AD (9 5. 4%)
122 0 AD
125 5 AD
δ 1 3 C(‰ )
PL D- 45 97 Charc o al
collected from
the foundation
so i l o f t e r r a c e i n
t h e se c o n d st a g e
-26. 52 ±0. 1 2
PL D- 45 98 Charc o al
collected from
the sand
foundation layer
of terrace in the
f i r st st a g e
Fig. 75.
950 ±25
102 0 AD (1 7. 8%)
105 0 AD
108 0 AD (5 0. 4%)
116 0 AD
102 0 AD (9 5. 4%)
116 0 AD
C a l e n da r D a t e
( y r B P ± 1σ )
844±21
948±26
Location of the Charcoal Samples had been collected from Trench I
(top: northern section wall; below: ground plan)
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Fig. 76.
Graph shows the Calibrated Date of Carbon Dating
(terrace in second stage)
Fig. 77. Graph shows the Calibrated Date of Carbon Dating (terrace in first stage)
Based on the above analyzed result, the calibrated date of charcoal sample of the
terrace in first stage is between 1080 to 1160 cal. A.D., while the terrace in second
stage is between 1170-1220 cal. A.D. Therefore, the absolute dating of the terrace
in first stage can be dated between 1080 to 1160 cal. A.D., while the terrace in
second stage can be dated between 1170 to 1220 cal. A.D.
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Section 4
Chronological Order of the Prasat Suor Prat Terrace
(Kou Vet 2006: 99-116; Kou Vet et al. 2006: 157-164)
To date the construction of the PSP terrace, the author had employed two kinds of
samples; they are Chinese ceramics and charcoal samples which were collected
from the archaeological excavation of the terrace construction of trench I and Q.
The two samples had already discussed in the above Section 2 and Section 3 in this
Chapter IX.
This section is concerned with the interpretation of the chronological order of the
terrace construction in each stage. Concerning the chronological order of the
terrace from first to fourth stage the author used the chronological context from the
analysis of the Chinese ceramics by cross-checking with the C14 dating. The author
used the archaeological data and chemical analysis data rather than architectural
style to date the terrace construction. The main samples of the Chinese ceramics
using here were carefully reexamined and decided by Yamamoto (specialist of the
Chinese ceramics).
The chronological order of the terrace in first stage was obtained from the
chronological context of the Chinese ceramic (Table 13; PL. 36, No. 1; Fig. 73, No.
1) and the C14 dating (Table 19 No. PLD-4598; Fig. 77); the second stage was
obtained from the C14 dating (Table 19 No. PLD-4597; Fig. 76) and the
comparative study on the chronology of the first and third stage; the third and
fourth stages obtained from the Chinese ceramics (Tables 13; PLs. 36/37; Fig. 73).
4-1
Chronology of the Terrace in First Stage
The chronology of the terrace in first stage was obtained from the chronological
context of the Chinese celadon bowl specimen and the C14 dating. The
chronological context of the above Chinese ceramic was basically analyzed through
its decoration, work arts and technical production. For instance, the typical
characteristic of a specimen of the celadon bowl recovered from the antechamber
foundation of Tower N2 (in this study the terrace in first stage had been suggested
to be erected at the same time of Tower N2 construction) shows that it was
produced at the Longquan and Tong-an kiln of the southern China (Fig. 73, No. 1;
PL. 36, No. 1). Based on its typical characteristic of the technical production, this
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celadon bowl can be dated between last half of the 11 t h to first half of the 12 t h
centuries (Table 13). Moreover, some Chinese covered boxes recovered from the
foundation trench of the terrace in first stage at trench Q (Fig. 20) showed the same
date with the above celadon bowl that recovered from trench I (examined in 2006
by Yamamoto).
For making more precise date, the author used the data obtaining from the analysis
of the C14 dating by cross-checking with the chronological context of the above
Chinese celadon bowl; because these two samples were collected from the same
layer of the terrace construction. The chronology of the above both samples
provided the same date for the terrace construction as shown in Table 13 and Table
19. Therefore, the terrace in first stage can suggest to be built from last half of the
11 t h to first half of the 12 t h centuries.
4-2
Chronology of the Terrace in Second Stage
The chronology of the terrace in this stage was obtained from the C14 dating and
the comparative study on the chronology of the terrace construction between the
first and third stage. The charcoal sample was collected from the terrace in second
stage (Layer a4-7) (Fig. 75) and its C14 dating was from 1170 to 1220 cal. A.D.
(Table 19 No. PLD-4597; Fig. 76). In addition, the comparative study on the
chronology of the terrace construction between the first and third stage provided
the date from after the first half of the 12 t h to before early of the 14 t h centuries. As
we knew that the terrace in first stage was erected between last half of the 11 t h to
first half of the 12 t h centuries; however, the third stage was constructed between
early of the 14 t h to middle of the 14 t h century. Therefore, the chronology of the
terrace in second stage can put between the chronology of the terrace in first and
third stage (between the first half of the 12 t h to before early of the 14 t h centuries).
Moreover, the C14 dating also gave the similar date with the above chronology
(Table 19).
Obtaining from the above result, the terrace in second stage can be dated between
the 12 t h to the 13 t h centuries.
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4-3
Chronology of the Terrace in Third stage
Many of Khmer earthenware and stone wares, and the Chinese ceramics had
recovered from the construction soil layer of the terrace in third stage (Layer 4 to
3). As mentioned above, there is no chronological context for the Khmer ceramics,
except for the Chinese ceramics are well known age of their produced kilns and
their chronological contexts. So, the author had decided to use the chronological
context of the Chinese ceramics to date the terrace in third stage (Table 13; PLs.
36/37/38). Based on the analysis result of the above ceramics, the specific
fragments of the Chinese ceramics recovered from the terrace in third stage can be
dated between early of the 14 t h to middle of the 14 t h century. Therefore, the
chronology of the terrace construction can suppose to be built during early of the
14 t h to middle of the 14 t h century.
4-4
Chronology of the Terrace in Fourth Stage
Many fragments of imported ceramics are recovered from the terrace in fourth
stage, such as the Chinese ceramics, Thai ceramics, and the Vietnamese ceramics.
The chronological context of the Chinese ceramics recovered from the constructed
soil layers of this terrace can be dated from last half of the 16 t h through the 17 t h
centuries (Table 13; PL. 36, No. 66; PLs. 38, No. 52, 68-1/68-2). Therefore, the
chronology of the terrace in this stage can suggest to be dated sometimes between
last half of the 16 t h to the 17 t h centuries.
4-5
Consideration
The reasoning behind the above chronological order of the terrace is as follows:
Firstly, the chronology of the terrace in first stage, a fragment of the Chinese
ceramic relevant evidence comes from the site in Japan and China. The Chinese
celadon bowl (Table 13, No.1; PL. 36, No.1; Fig. 73, No. 1) recovered from the
antechamber’s foundation trench of the Tower N2 can be related to the bowl
excavated from the Dazaifu site of SE113 and Hataka well No. 39 (Fig. 65). This
bowl was considered to be related to the early Longquan kiln and the Tong-an kiln
of the last half of the 11 t h to first half of the 12 t h centuries (Yamamoto 2000:
36-37). Moreover, this kind of celadon bowl can also be seen in Philippine (PLs.
39-1/39-2). This celadon bowl had decorated with comb-marked design in the
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exterior of the body, zigzag patterns in the interior and other flower on the body.
Thinly glaze covers on both interior and exterior of the body of the bowl. These
types of the bowl were suggested to be produced at both Zhejian and Fujien
provinces in China.
In addition, the chronology of the terrace in first stage had been considered by
dating with two samples from the same layer of the terrace construction. One
sample is the Chinese ceramic and the second one is the charcoal sample (Fig. 75).
Secondly, the chronology of the terrace in second stage had been considered by
dating with one sample of the charcoal fragment and another date was getting from
the comparative study on the terrace between first and third stage.
Thirdly is the chronology of the terrace in third stage had been considered by
dating with some Chinese ceramics and the relevant evidence was coming from the
ceramics found at the site of Japan, such as the celadon bowls excavated from the
Dazaifu site (Yamamoto 2000: 38-40). The bowl decorated with lotus petal patterns
in exterior was belonging to first half of the 13 t h to last half of the 13 t h century
related to the Longquan kilns (Table 13 No. 2; PL. 36, No. 2; Fig. 73, No. 2). The
other specimen of celadon bowl was a part of foot-ring which it can be dated from
early of the 14 t h to middle of the 14 t h century (Table 13, No. 8; PL. 36, No. 8; Fig.
73, No. 8).
The fourth one is the chronology of the terrace in fourth stage. The chronological
context had been considered from the Chinese ceramics and the relevant evidence
was also coming from the sites in Japan, such as the celadon bowl excavated from
Negoroji temple, Japan. The site was designated to the end of Heihan period
(794-1192). Some celadon bowls recovered from the terrace in fourth stage show
their typical characteristic with no decoration in both exterior and interior of the
body, and they were found with Thai and Vietnamese ceramics. These celadon
bowls related to the Longquan kilns, and their produced date can be suggested in
between the 14 t h to the 15 t h centuries (Fig. 71) (Ueda 1982: 55-70). However, the
other new blue-and-white bowls made at the Jingdezhen kiln also found from the
terrace in fourth stage. They are belonging to the last half of the 16 t h to early of the
17 t h centuries of the Chinese production (Fig. 73, No. 68-2; PLs. 38 No. 66, 68-2).
Therefore, the date of the terrace construction in fourth stage can suggest to be
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built between the last half of the 16 t h to the 17 t h centuries.
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