The first extensive civilization in Cambodia emerged in the 1st century AD, known as Funan, centered in the Mekong Delta and extending over what is now southern Vietnam and southeastern Cambodia. Despite its significance, much about Funan remains unclear, with only limited records from Chinese merchants and travelers, which may be unreliable. It’s uncertain whether Funan functioned as a unified kingdom or a collection of small, autonomous states, and there is little consensus on the location of its capital, the language(s) spoken, or even the civilization’s original name, as “Funan” is derived from Chinese sources. The ethnic identity of the Funanese is also uncertain, though they were likely a blend of Mon and Khmer peoples, the latter being a dark-skinned tribe that migrated southward along the Mekong River and from whom today’s Cambodians are believed to descend.

However, Funan is known to have been a prosperous and culturally advanced society, with major centers at Angkor Borei, Banteay Prei Nokor, and Prey Veng in present-day Cambodia, and Óc Eo in Vietnam. Funan maintained a strong navy, constructed large canals for irrigation and drainage, amassed palm-leaf manuscripts written in Sanskrit, and developed skills in bronze and iron metallurgy. Capitalizing on its position along trade routes between India and China, Funan established extensive commercial connections; Roman coins discovered at multiple sites reveal these long-distance exchanges. The Funanese lived in stilt houses similar to those seen in modern Cambodia, relying on rice, fish, and cultivated fruits for sustenance. Cockfighting was a popular pastime, and their legal system included trials by ordeal, where accused individuals faced crocodile-infested waters and were deemed innocent only if they survived.

Funan’s society was heavily influenced by Indian culture, creating a cultural legacy that persisted into the Angkorian period and beyond (the name “Cambodia,” derived from Kambujadesa, has Sanskrit roots). Indian traders introduced Hinduism, which became widely adopted among Funanese, often intertwined with local beliefs and traditions. Wealthy Funanese would gain merit by financing temple constructions, and by the 5th century, rulers had begun appending the Indian suffix “-varman” to their names, signifying “protector.” Funan gradually declined in the 7th century AD, though the reasons are unclear. By the 8th century, much of Funan’s coastal territory had come under Javanese control, marking a shift as Khmer power began to move inland.