The contemporary monastery grounds of Wat Kampong Preah feature three brick temples, one in amazing condition, one a little less so, and another excavation pit revealing the base of a third structure. All three are on an east-west axis and open to the north.
Unsurprisingly, the focus of attention is the larger standing temple and its spectacular masonry work
The pedestal remains, smaller temple, and excavation pit
The pagoda at the site is also quite old, by appearances perhaps nearly 100 years old and perhaps having prior heritage. It was restored by the Ministry of Culture in 2019.
Historical Notes
In the 1930s, a Shivapada was discovered here and is now on display in the Phnom Penh National Museum.
A week later, wanting to verify an indication of ruins carried on the map, I approached – by sampan because of the flood at Kompon Práh (IK. 146, 5) where I was surprised to discover two art towers primitive Khmer, including one in very good condition. Returning to this location three weeks later, with Mr. PARMENTIER, the study was resumed and excavations were carried out. Very numerous debris of statues were unearthed in the half-ruined pràsat. This building had probably served as a storage room for idols mutilated by change religion or wars.
Dalet Robert. Dix-huit mois de recherches archéologiques au Cambodge. In: Bulletin de l’Ecole française d’Extrême-Orient. Tome 35, 1935. pp. 117-145.
Inscription
- K. 737 – one word in Sanskrit on a pedestal – Parmentier 1935, p. 63 ; Dalet 1935, p. 142
Map
Site Info
- Site Name: Kâmpong Preah (V.) Khmer Name: វត្តកំពង់ព្រះ
- Reference ID: HA12030 | Posted: December 30, 2021 | Last Update: February 22nd, 2022
- Tags/Group: pa, ra, T4, Temples, Wat
- Location: Kampong Chhnang Province > Baribour (Babor) District > Chhnok Tru Commune > Kâmpong Preah Village
- MoCFA ID: 748
- IK Number: 146.05
- Inscription Number/s: K. 737
