| Abstract: |
Some of the results are given on the archaeological research conducted since 2004 within the framework of the 'Archaeological Mission for Regional Planning of Angkor' (APSARA/MAE/EFEO). The mission conducted various excavations on sites located in the vicinity of the Western baray in Angkor, a huge water reservoir eight by two km large built during the eleventh century on top of one of oldest settlements in Angkor. The paper provides details of the recent investigation inside the baray itself, at a newly discovered site called Koh Ta Méas. Investigation showed that this site presents remarkable evidence of prehistoric settlement with an associated necropolis. Koh Ta Méas is a very minor elevation in the flat bottom of the baray, a kilometre west of the Mebon, in a zone normally immersed all along the year. May 2004 was exceptionally dry giving a rare opportunity to conduct a rapid archaeological operation organized in two phases. The first phase comprised a detailed topographic survey, coring and surface collection. The second phase consisted of making three test pits. Dating of the early occupation phases is obviously required, but at present, we presume that the first activity at Koh Ta Méas may well belong to the first millenium before our era.
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