Are there any relationship between Khmer and Maya culture at the ancient time?

Until now, no one can explain about the relationship of civilization across the ocean in early period of Cambodian history. We have Chinese report from 2nd century A.D, and the first old Khmer inscription from 6th century A.D. Base on new  discovery of archaeological research at Phum Snay (http://antiquity.ac.uk/ant/085/ant0850441.htm) at Banteay Mean Chey province, Angkor Borei (500 B.C to 200 A.D) in Takeo and Oc-Eo (http://blog.andybrouwer.co.uk/2011/04/luu-cu-dig.html), Prahear site (http://www.dainst.org/en/project/prohear?ft=all), and Koh Ta Meas site in the middle of Western Baray and Prei Kmeng Site (http://www.efeo.fr/index.php?l=FR&event=333)...etc., we could say that Khmer had their own cultures and developed since many centuries before they got influence from Indian culture. The question now for religion of early Khmer period just like Mahenjodaro civilization (http://dzhusart.blogspot.com/2008/01/indus-valley.html) of early Indian culture: What did they practice in term of religion? Who was the main god? How did they live? How did they manage their societies?

n Sun, Mar 18, 2012 at 12:02 AM, Chen Chanratana <ch.chanratana@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear All,

Many thanks for your information, I hope that we can start all together to think about the relationship between old Khmer civilization and other beyond Indian one. After read to the link of Kent and also explanation of Kenneth and Ambassador Julio, we could say that Khmer had have many connections with other old civilization. Here, I can give some examples concerning Khmer sculpture of Harihara (http://vorasith.online.fr/cambodge/sculp/hari.htm) of Prasat Andet (http://www.tourismcambodia.com/travelguides/provinces/kampong-thom/what-to-see/182_prasat-andet-temple.htm) from 7th century A.D with Egyptian art from 2,000 B.C (http://www.1steyeperspectives.com/contact.html). Moreover, some of bas-relief sculpted on the wall of flying palace at Sambor Prei Kuk temples (http://blog.andybrouwer.co.uk/2011/01/fascinating-figures.html) with Persian civilization (http://karenswhimsy.com/persian-clothing.shtm ; and http://miltiade.pagesperso-orange.fr/GB/antic_persia.htm) not Indian, and also the human head sculpture of Sambor Prei Kuk (tower S2 - Southern group - http://blog.andybrouwer.co.uk/2008/10/unsolved-mystery.html) with Persian portrait (http://pc.ign.com/articles/658/658002p1.html). So, base on these data and my perspectives, I could mention that pre-angkorian art and civilization had probably have many connections with those ancient cultures: Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Persian and Mayan Culture, not just from Indian civilization. But HOW? How about the women power of early Funan period? Did they get influence from Mayan culture?


CHEN Chanratana

Founder of Kerdomnel Khmer Foundation

www.kerdomnelkhmer.wordpress.com