Suor Prat Towers

Located inside Angkor Thom and around 180m east of the Royal Palace and its terraces, Sour Prat is a set of twelve monumental and mysterious laterite towers. They stand in front of the north and south Khleangs with six towers on each side of Victory Avenue (the causeway that leads to Victory Gate). While they are aligned on a north-south axis, the tower located nearest Victory Avenue on either side is located off-axis and slightly to the east.

The name Sour Prat is a contemporary one reflecting the local belief that they once had wire stretched between each one which was used for acrobatic performances during royal festivals. The wider area between here and the Royal Palace is often referred to as the Royal Plaza, perhaps drawing from the records left by Zhou Daguan, the Chinese missionary in the 13th century who wrote of the grand festivals that took place in this area whilst he also noted the towers and that they were used to settle disputes among Angkorian people (see Customs of Cambodia). So, perhaps there is some truth to the local belief even though there is no structural or archeological evidence in its favour.

Speaking of archeological evidence, no inscription nor foundation stele has been found to correctly identify the purpose or foundation date of the towers. Many researchers believe they were possibly built around the 12th-13th century while other studies push that date forward to the 12th century, more further below.

Their construction layout is also somewhat unique with a blocky squared-off disposition and featuring balustered windows around each side, yet it is familiar in having several false levels of diminishing size to add height, and a mandapa (hall) extending their entrance. As an aside, I noted feeling the ruins of Boeng Srae Khang Lech Temple at Preah Khan of Kampong Svay reminded me of these towers.

Unusually, especially given their prominent location, they are constructed primarily of laterite, a secondary material used for foundations, walls, etc., although sandstone is used for the doorframes, window frames, and frontons. Researchers also note that the towers were never completed with the frontons not being fully developed and no traces of final rendering over the laterite found to date, and also, seemingly constructed in haste.

Some of the north towers have frontons that are complete with decoration although, you’ll need a decent zoom lens to capture them. Inside some, you’ll see some retaining remnants of their sandstone pedestals and some retaining their window balusters. Also, note how their entrances have been walled up at the bottom, researchers note it likely to be a later alteration made when the terraces fronting the towers were added.

History

At one point they were dated to the end of the 12 century/early 13th century and attributed to Bayon style period under either Jayavarman VII (reign 1181–1218 AD) or his successor Indravarman II (reign speculated to be circa 1243-1295 AD). However, a study in 2005 on the laterite and sandstone used, noting its chemical composition and likely quarry sites, the size of block and construction technique, along with carbon dating of charcoal samples, would propose that Suor Prat was likely built in the Angkor Wat period (late 11th – mid-12th c). Later research papers note that it remains unsettled.

Restoration Works

The clearance of the towers was carried French beginning in 1908 with some restoration of one tower in the 1950s by the EFEO. In 1994, The Japanese Government Team for Safeguarding Angkor (JASA) studied the site and carried out preservation and restoration works on two towers that were completed in 2005.

Historical Images – property of EFEO, more at Fonds Cambodge

References and further reading

• Uchida et al, 2005, Estimation of the construction period of Prasat Suor Prat
• Akazawa et al, 2019, Architectural masonry features of Prasat Suor Prat