Angkor's Bronze Age: The Lost Metallurgy of Phnom Borei

In the centuries before Angkor Wat rose from the jungle, the Mekong Delta was already a crucible of innovation. This episode turns to the archaeological record of Phnom Borei, a walled city that flourished between the 2nd century BCE and the 5th century CE, to uncover the bronze-casting traditions that laid the groundwork for Khmer civilization. We explore the discovery of crucibles, molds, and furnace fragments, and what they tell us about trade networks stretching from the South China Sea to the Bay of Bengal. We also revisit the legend of the 'Iron Age' in mainland Southeast Asia, reconsidering the role of bronze in ritual and warfare. Along the way, Lucas and Luna discuss the challenges of interpreting fragmentary evidence, the politics of archaeological heritage, and what these ancient artisans might have thought of their own craft. A story of fire, metal, and the quiet foundations of empire. #BronzeAge #PhnomBorei #KhmerEmpire #AngkorHistory #SoutheastAsia #MekongDelta #Archaeology #Metallurgy #Funan #OcEo #AncientTechnology #TradeNetworks #HistoryPodcast #FexingoHistory #AncientCivilizations #CulturalHeritage #IronAge #BronzeCasting Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo