Banteay (Phnom Kulen)

The Banteay site is an expansive area that is believed to be the royal palace of Jayavarman II (802–850 AD) in what is now known as once being the ancient capital, Mahendraparvata atop Phnom Kulen. While there are no visible remnants of the royal palace to be seen today bar some scattered brick debris, excavations (since filled over) have revealed large earthen walls, terraces, walkways, and staircase, some of which may have supported wooden structures.

Layout image via Banteay, palais royal de Mahendraparvata – Jean-Baptiste Chevance

Further reading

  • Banteay, palais royal de Mahendraparvata – Jean-Baptiste Chevance 2014
  • Preliminary Excavations at the Banteay Site, Phnom Kulen; ICC-Angkor JUN 2015-draft – Latinis/Darith 2015
  • Mahendraparvata: an early Angkor-period capital defined through airborne laser scanning at Phnom Kulen – Chevance/Evans et al 2019

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Map

*Important: mapped location may only be approximated to the district level/village only. To visit sites outside the tourist zones you should seek a local guide from the area read more.

Site Info

Rodney Charles LHuillier

Living in Asia for over a decade and now residing in beautiful Siem Reap. Rodney Charles L'Huillier has spent over seven years in Cambodia and is the author of Ancient Cambodia (2024) and Essential Siem Reap (2017, 2019). Contact via [email protected] - more..

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