Laterite bridge, no longer in use and hidden in scrub (2020/21), and located just north of Prasat Tor and one connecting the ancient road from the West Baray dike heading to Phnom Bok. The bridge runs east-west, and you will see a wooden bridge heading north at the road junction, go over that, turn around and to the left you will see the ancient stone bridge. You can also reach it from the road going through the shrub.
Historical Images (Via BEFEO – Trouve, 1935)
George Trouve cleared the site in 1935 when he recorded the bridge as being 10.65 m long, 3.0 m high and 5.8 m wide. Noting it had two seemingly unjoined parts, one side featuring a larger arch, and a construction style not using the corbelled style arches that are seen in other ancient Khmer bridges. Notably, he attributes its construction to King Yacovarman (9-10th c) while the site today carries a modern sign dating it to the 12th century.
Nearby
Nearby you will see the remnants of the Northeast Baray Stele shelter, a small shrine housing three boundary markers carved with a figure of Lokeshvara. A fourth and larger boundary marker, carved on all sides and carrying a short inscription was also found. Prasat Tor is located just south. Further south is Krol Romeas and Banteay Samre.
References
- Trouvé Georges Alexandre. Le Pràsàt Tor. Description du monument et des vestiges avoisinants. In: Bulletin de l’Ecole française d’Extrême-Orient. Tome 35, 1935. pp. 207-232; doi : https://doi.org/10.3406/befeo.1935.3943 https://www.persee.fr/doc/befeo_0336-1519_1935_num_35_1_3943
Map
Site Info
- Site Name: Spean Tor Khmer Name: ស្ពានទ
- Reference ID: HA12008 | Posted: January 20, 2021 | Last Update: August 15th, 2021
- Tags/Group: Ancient Bridges, Ancient Royal Road, Angkor, Royal Road Angkor-Beng Mealea, Temples
- Location: Siem Reap Province > Banteay Srei District > Preah Dak Commune > O Totoeng Village
- MoCFA ID: 725
- IK Number: 543.02
