Kei Temple

Located 1300m directly south of Phnom Sandak and 600m to the southwest of Prasat Kon Chen, Prasat Kei is a tall laterite temple surrounded by an enclosure wall. To the east of the site, there is a large basin (dry) and perhaps a small basin to the northeast (also dry but likely holds water during the wet season), the site itself (as of 01/23) is quite overgrown but clear enough its east and south side to get a few photos.

The overall layout of the site is typical of “hospital chapels” that were recorded as being built during the era of Jayavarman VII around the 12th century while the grand temple nearby, Phnom Sandak and just north Prasat Kei, clearly date to earlier times around the 10-11th century. For more on that, see the notes on the stele inscription K. 194 here.

As mentioned, the site features a laterite outer enclosure wall, with the collapsed remnants of an entrance on its eastern side. Inside the enclosure, there are remains of a small “library” building that appears as though it opened to the east. At the center of the enclosure, is a partially standing single laterite tower, which is square with a laterite forebody extending its opening to the east. The forebody had sandstone doorframes, lintel and side windows but never any final detailed carving. The tower also had sandstone false doors around its other sides although its western side has completely collapsed.

As mentioned, it is an annex building of the larger Phnom Sandak temple which is located just 1300m north across the east-west ridge, please see that site for a description of the general location and the journey to the area. 

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