Prasat Bos Neak is located atop Phnom Kulen, south of Anlong Thom village, south of Prasat Neak Ta on the trail fork that comes off the main trail heading to Damrei Krap and Srah Damrei. It is part of a group of temples, Anlong Thom, Prasat Neak Ta, Prasat Crei, all orientated on a similar north-south axis and opening to the west which has been speculated to possibly hold a relationship to another larger temple or structure, notably Rong Chen temple (Stern/Evans). The site is dated by its art style to circa 9th century.
Noting historical images held by the EFEO, its fascinating lintel features a somewhat uniquely style Indra on Airvata and what may be the first depiction of a style of “Yogini”/celestial dancers that would be commonplace on 12th and 13th-century temples. Also notable are its square pilasters as seen in further historical images. The site is dated by its art style
Historical Notes
The site was noted by Jacques Lagisquet in 1936 and covered by Phillpes Sterns’s important surveying work around the same time. Bos Nak temple was part of a group of three newly discovered temples at that time near Neak Ta in Phnom Kulen during an archaeological mission in 1936. These temples, including Anlon Thom (also called Sak Terk), Crei, and Bos Neak, were found as part of the extensive excavation work focused on the Kulen plateau. The discovery was aided by the local people, and the ruins were primarily recognized by small mounds of bricks hidden in the dense brush, making them easily overlooked.
In 2012, Martin Polkingholme published a study in the lintels of Kulen and Hariharalaya (Roluos) briefly noting the decorative lintel motifs of Bos Neak, which align with the stylistic characteristics of the Kulen period. Specifically, the lintel of Bos Neak exhibits a combination of motifs central to the Mahendraparvata (Kulen) artistic style of the 8th to 9th centuries transitioning from the art style of Kampong Preah and towards that of Hariharalayah.
Historical Images
Mission Stern 1936, 1937, and 1951 by Jean Boissellier via EFEO Fonds Cambodge – more
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Map
Site Info
- Site Name: Bos Neak (Pr.) Khmer Name: បា្រសាទបោសនាគ
- Reference ID: HA12057 | Last Update: October 20th, 2024
- Other Names: Baos Neak Temple, ប្រាសាទបោសនាគ
- Tags/Group: 9th Century, c, Kulen, Phnom Kulen, pr, T25, Temples
- Location: Siem Reap Province > Svay Leu District > Khnang Phnum Commune > Anlong Thom Village
- MoCFA ID: 776
- IK Number: 556.1
