| Abstract: |
The article aims to clarify the notion of "Cambodian prehistory" within the framework of what is usually referred to as "ancient or very ancient history," while highlighting Cambodia's strategic role in prehistoric research on the periods related to Homo sapiens or Homo erectus. The authors revisit the main stages that led to the establishment of the chrono-cultural markers of Cambodian prehistory, following in particular the history of research conducted at the Laang Spean site in parallel with major Neolithic discoveries such as those of Samrong Sen, Kbal Romeas (the rhinoceros head) east of Kampot, and Mlou Prei (the wild betel) in the northern province of Preah Vihear. In addition to these sites, there are much older clues from surface contexts, such as those observed on the Quaternary alluvial terraces of the Mekong, where modified pebbles attributed to Homo erectus and dated to the beginning of the Middle Pleistocene, around 600,000 years ago, have been unearthed.
|
