Ancient massive metal furnace discovered in Preah Vihear
In Dang Phlit village, Chheb commune, Chheb district, Preah Vihear province, researchers discovered a large-scale industrial steel mill dating back to ancient times. This is a brand-new piece of evidence that has yet to be discovered by prior scholars.
Thuy Chanthuon, Associate Professor of Archeology at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, delivered a report on the finding of ancient iron ore that was greater than earlier finds.
Thuy Chanthuon suggested that the finding location was formerly home to Cambodia’s greatest steel plant.
“At first, I believed the steel industry in the Chep Mlou Prey region was along the road,” Mr. Thuy Chanthuon said, “but the area near this road is merely a metal handicraft until we travel into the deep forest 30 kilometers from the district hall, where there is a historic steel factory.” Why did we get to the conclusion that it is an industry? The amount of metal debris and pieces left at the station exceeded all expectations. “It is not unusual for smelters in the Chep Mlou Prey area,” we think of the iron ore in the forest, which is 6-7-8 meters higher than the average surface area.
Rings, spears, iron ore, iron ore tubes, and auxiliary chemicals were among the things discovered by the researchers. Iron and other pollutants are dissolved. All of these items have yet to be dated using radioactive carbon 14, a chemical that determines how long they will last. The results, on the other hand, fill in certain research gaps.
“I believe this is a finding or study for this period, that is the era that we Cambodians have to conduct on our own,” Dr. So Sokuntheary, a professor of architectural history and temple restoration specialist who attended the news briefing, stated. A lot of the research that French scientists have done in the past is only visible in a few records, and only in a few documents. It is also tough for us to locate. As a result, our next generation of Cambodian youngsters did it themselves by leaving such notes. I’m proud of them, and I support and urge them to keep going.”
The experiment lasted seven days, from January 10 to January 16, 2010. The researchers discovered the smelter site in Dang Phlit hamlet, Chheb commune, Chheb district, Preah Vihear province. About 30 kilometers from the district headquarters in Chhep.
Unofficial translation by Kuitak team, read the original article in Khmer at: https://www.rfa.org/khmer/indepth/iron-factory-found-in-pvihear-02132010025140.html