It is important to note that the Hungarian Archaeological Mission, with the involvement of some excellent French, Khmer, Chinese and Thai experts, and with significant Hungarian participation, has been focusing ’only’ on Koh Ker since 2009, where no substantive excavation had taken place before. Until his death, the program was led by the world-famous historian and epigraphist Prof. Dr. Claude Jacques. Koh Ker has been fully mapped over the past decade, and significant progress has been made in historical and art historical research, all the Old Khmer steles ever found at Koh Ker have been scientifically processed, translated, and interpreted, which will be of huge benefit to future historical and linguistic research. Preparations have also begun for the full archaeological excavations of Prasat Krachap, where the largest number of inscribed stele were found.
Ceramic and porcelain artefacts found across around 80 square kilometres at Koh Ker were grouped and processed in several stages, some of them were also examined in a laboratory. The results of all this research have been the subject of numerous scientific publications, annual reports, studies and a major high quality album. A full scientific mapping and description of all the inscribed stone stele found in the area of the nine church ruins has also been published, each in a separate volume. In order to present Koh Ker as an alternative tourist destination, the Koh Ker tourist map, a guide, a video promotion of the most important temples (CD) and a series of postcards were completed with Hungarian planning and publication in the early 2000s.
It is very important to note that all this would not have been achieved without the dedicated work of a team of excellent, international level Hungarian experts, among others: Jelen János, Dr. Károly Belényesy, Dr. Zsuzsa Renner, Prof. Dr. György Karsai, Róbert Kuszinger, Dóra Egyházi, Ágnes Vajda, László Vajda, Sipos György, Orsolya Tóth, Gábor Bozsó, Gergely Barcza, József Fidlóczky, Ilona Györfy, Prof. Dr. József Laszlovszky, András Martoni, Balázs Irimias, Miklós Sulyok and they are therefore worthy of our gratitude and respect. Sincere thanks also goes to the delegate specialists who took part in the programme, in particular the Cambodian archaeologists. Dr. E. Darith, Phin Samnang, Pheng Sameoun, and Prof. Dr. Claud Jacques from France, Evans Damian from Australia.
An essential condition for the implementation of this programme was that its costs were met by the private research institute and investment company of Dr. István Zelnik.
I believe that these 15 years of excellent research and archaeological excavations have made important contribution to achieving a better understanding of this little-explored period of Khmer history, and a significant expansion of knowledge of Khmer art history and epigraphy. I hope you will enjoy this archaeological excursion brought to you by the Hungarians!
Dr. István Zelnik
President of the Editorial Board