Until recent years, scholars have not been very much attracted to specific research work on ancient economic activities in Cambodia, or at least only a few papers specially devoted to this subject have been published. Reasons for this have been given: source material had first to be published, an historical framework established, etc. Of course, these are not bad reasons, but it must be added that this research work appears to be very difficult since the sources, when viewed in entirety, seem especially difficult to interpret.

However, in the past various authors have given their opinions on the ancient economy, but it is easy to show that these opinions are often not very realistic, as they are based more on general, and if I may make so bold as to say, preconceived ideas on this civilization, rather than on facts. For example, it is a current idea that the Khmer society, which was able to make Angkor and all its wonders, was basically different from that of modern Cambodia, and it is apparent that old Khmer society is explained more appropriately through ancient Egyptian society[1] than through the comparatively well known Khmer society at the end of XlXth century. The firm belief of the present author is that such a postulation must be rejected, and without denying an evolution which is simply normal, the structure of the Khmer society at the beginning of the French protectorate naturally follows that of Angkorean society. In any case, nothing seems to hinder seriously this opinion and it provides a better hypothesis with which to commence an analysis.

Research into the economic activities of this society must include many elements which I am probably unable to appreciate properly. As an epigraphist, I shall attempt to dwell on the area with which I am most familiar, which should not imply that I consider it the most important source.

The Khmer and Cham lands will be dealt with separately. I wished to mention both of them in the title because I think the unfortunate Champa has been ignored for many years. But it is true that I know Khmer epigraphy far better and that in any case, Cham epigraphy, different from the Khmer, offers even less information about economic activities.