Latest / The Khmer Empire: The Lost Civilization Behind Angkor Wat — Fexingo History / The Lost Port of Angkor: Maritime Trade at Koh Ker
Transcript
- Lucas: We've talked a lot about Angkor's temples and its kings, but there's a whole other side to the Khmer Empire we haven't touched on yet — its role as a maritime trading power. And for that, we need to leave Angkor behind and head about 80 kilometers northeast to a place called Koh Ker. Luna: Koh Ker? I've heard the name but I don't really know much about it. Lucas: Most people don't. It was the capital of the Khmer Empire for a brief but fascinating period, from 921 to 944 CE, under King Jayavarman IV. And the reason he moved the capital there wasn't just political — it was about controlling trade routes. Koh Ker sits near the edge of the Dangrek Mountains, close to the headwaters of the Stung Sen River, which flows south into the Tonle Sap. That river gave the Khmer access to the Mekong delta and, ultimately, the South China Sea. Luna: So it was a sort of inland port city? Lucas: Exactly. The Khmer didn't just build their empire on rice and temple-building; they were savvy traders. At Koh Ker, Jayavarman IV constructed a massive complex called Prasat Thom, centered on a seven-tiered pyramid temple that rises about 35 meters. That pyramid is unique in Khmer architecture — it's like a stepped mountain, echoing the idea of Mount Meru but also serving as a statement of power. And the city itself was laid out with a huge baray, or reservoir, which was also used for transportation. Goods could be brought up the Stung Sen by boat, then transferred overland to Koh Ker, and from there distributed across the empire. Luna: What kind of goods were they trading? Lucas: The Khmer exported forest products like aromatic woods, resins, ivory, and spices — especially cardamom and pepper. They also had gold and gemstones. In return, they imported Chinese ceramics, silk, and bronze mirrors, as well as Indian textiles, beads, and religious objects. There's even evidence of trade with the Srivijaya empire based in Sumatra, which controlled the Strait of Malacca. Chinese records from the Song dynasty describe Khmer envoys bringing gifts to the imperial court, but also mention private merchants. One Song text, the 'Zhu Fan Zhi' by Zhao Rugua, written around 1225, lists 'Chenla' — that's the Chinese name for the Khmer — as a source of elephant tusks, rhinoceros horns, and lakawood. Luna: I didn't realize the Khmer were so integrated into the maritime Silk Road. Lucas: They were, but it's an aspect that's often overlooked because the archaeological focus has been on temples, not ports. However, recent excavations at Koh Ker have uncovered fragments of Chinese celadon pottery and Middle Eastern glass, which confirms long-distance trade. And here's a fascinating detail: at the base of the Prasat Thom pyramid, archaeologists found a massive stone linga — the symbol of Shiva — that stands over four meters tall. It's one of the largest lingas in Southeast Asia. Jayavarman IV was making a statement: not only was he a devaraja, a god-king, but he controlled the flow of wealth from trade. Luna: But if Koh Ker was so successful, why did the capital move back to Angkor? Lucas: After Jayavarman IV died in 944, his son Harshavarman II ruled only briefly, and then the throne was taken by Rajendravarman II, who moved the capital back to Angkor. There are a few theories: maybe Koh Ker was too remote, or perhaps the water management there wasn't sustainable. The baray at Koh Ker is huge — about 1.2 kilometers long — but it relied on rainfall and the Stung Sen, which might have been less reliable than the system around the Tonle Sap. Also, Angkor was more central and had a longer tradition as a ceremonial center. So Koh Ker was abandoned, and the jungle took over. It wasn't until the 20th century that it was rediscovered, and even today it's much less visited than Angkor. Luna: So the trade networks must have shifted back to Angkor as well? Lucas: They did, but in a different form. Angkor itself wasn't a port; it was inland. So the Khmer relied on a network of river ports along the Tonle Sap and the Mekong. One key port was at the site of modern-day Phnom Penh, where the Tonle Sap meets the Mekong. Another was at Kampong Cham. Chinese records mention that Khmer ships sailed directly to China, and there's even a story from the 13th century about a Khmer king who sent a fleet to attack Champa. So the maritime tradition continued, but it was centered on the river systems rather than a single great port like Koh Ker. Luna: And what about the people who lived at Koh Ker? Were they just administrators and priests? Lucas: Not at all. Inscriptions from Koh Ker describe a bustling city with merchants, artisans, and even a hospital. One inscription mentions a 'market of the foreigners' where goods from many lands were sold. There were also temples dedicated to different deities, and the city had a diverse population, including traders from Champa, China, and possibly India. The Prasat Thom complex alone has over 60 smaller shrines. It must have been a vibrant place, at least for those few decades. Luna: It's amazing how much we can piece together from inscriptions and archaeology. Lucas: Absolutely. And there's still so much we don't know. For example, we haven't found any shipwrecks off the coast of Cambodia from that period, though there are plenty in the Gulf of Thailand. In 2019, a team discovered a 14th-century shipwreck near the island of Koh Rong, but it was likely Chinese or Siamese. The Khmer probably used smaller vessels that didn't venture too far from the coast. And we're still learning about the exact extent of their trade routes. But what's clear is that the Khmer Empire was not just a land-based agrarian state; it was a key node in the maritime trade of Southeast Asia. Luna: I'm glad we finally got to explore that side of the empire. Lucas: Me too. It reminds us that even the greatest temple-builders needed more than just faith and rice — they needed connections with the wider world. And Koh Ker, though short-lived, was a testament to that ambition. Next time, we'll look at how the Khmer managed their forests and wildlife, which was another crucial resource. Luna: Looking forward to it.