Art & Archaeology of Fu Nan

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Pp. ix, 163; 9 maps and plan views, 100 color photos and drawings. This hardcover first edition features original brown boards with gilt lettering on the spine and a color pictorial dust jacket. The dust jacket flap highlights the obscurity of the origins of Khmer civilization, particularly in the Mekong Delta, despite extensive publications on the Angkor period. Initial explorations by French colonial archaeologists in the early 20th century yielded detailed findings published between 1959 and 1963, now hard to find. After a hiatus due to geopolitical issues until 1975, archaeologists from Vietnam, Cambodia, and abroad have continued to investigate the region, yet little has been published in Western languages about the significant cultural artifacts discovered. The pre-Khmer culture of Fu Nan was crucial in Southeast Asia's maritime trade as early as the Common Era, with evidence of extensive trade links across the region, South Asia, and even the Mediterranean. Chinese records reference the largely unknown kingdom of Fu Nan, which played a vital role in the development of Khmer culture. Seven experts explore the material remains of this civilization, including architecture, sculpture, metalwork, jewelry, pottery, and trade goods, such as Roman coins. This work significantly contributes to the art history of mainland Southeast Asia and will captivate those interested in the Khmer and Angkor legacies. No ownership marks.