Étienne François Aymonier (1844-1929), with local Cambodian assistants, was the first to comprehensively survey the temples and archaeological ruins of Cambodia and the greater ancient Khmer Empire. This work was published in three volumes: Le Cambodge I, II, & III (1900-1904). The map below features the sites in present-day Cambodia, that were documented in those volumes.
Located near the east bank of the Mekong River in lower Kampong Cham Province, it’s also recorded as Wat Svay Sach Phnom. It is one of the older pagodas in Cambodia and features some wonderful traditional art and decorative features. The pagoda was recently restored and usually is never open, luck would be with us … Read more
Also recorded as Wat Sopheas Raingsey, it’s a contemporary monastery and pagoda that houses numerous remnants of a 7th-century pre-Angkorian temple site/s. The remnants include lintels, an inscribed stele, and several sandstone plinths, all concreted onto a platform, perhaps for their own security. A pedestal and a lion’s head can also be seen nearby. Inscription … Read more
Also recorded as Vat Eng Khna, Wat Prasat Noren Enkoma, Neak Vihear, and other names. It is a site where stunning ancient temple remains were found in the 1900s and today features a beautiful old wooden vihara that is demarcated with ornate sema stones. To the east is a large basin. Located north of Kampong … Read more
Also recorded as Wat Wat Pong Pous, a contemporary monastery and pagoda where a shelter with remains of an ancient brick temple can be seen
Also recorded as Prasat Preah Pisnukar and Wat Ba Phnom, the contemporary pagoda sits at the northeastern edge of Phnom Chheu Kach offering views out over the small village below. At the time of visiting (06/22) the pagoda and monastery were seemingly abandoned and unkept. There is a trail that leads further along the crest … Read more
Locate around 40 km from Kratie (Krong Kracheh), Preah Theat Khvan Pir is the remains of two ancient square brick temples that date to the late 6th/7th century. The two temples are aligned north-south and open to the east with sandstone doorframes. Today, the southern tower is partially standing while only the well of the … Read more
Phnom Sambok, also known as Chambak Meas, is a contemporary meditation center, monastery, and ancient site located between Kratie (Krong Kracheh) and Kampi of Kratie Province. The monastery and remnants of the ancient site are spread across two peaks of the small mountain that overlooks the plains alongside the Mekong river. At the top of … Read more
Also recorded as Prasat Thnal Svay (of which there are many sharing the same or very similar name). It is a remote site located in the forest/farmlands of Preah Vihear about 8km south of Choam Khsant. The ancient site featured three shrines flanked by a library which was surrounded by an outer enclosure and looking … Read more
Also referred to as Prasat Snoeng Khang Khaeut, it is the remains of a standing three brick temple group. The site is located 200m east of Snoeng West Temple, noting the obvious that they are from differing eras. The temples are aligned on a north-south axis and open to the east sharing a common terrace. … Read more
Set in the charming and scenic grounds of what is now a small monastery, is an ancient brick temple spectacularly engulfed by the roots of a tree. The site is entered from the east by a causeway that is flanked by basins (ancient or new?) and is surrounded on its other sides by a moat. … Read more
Also recorded as Kuk Toch and Preah Theat Toch, it is located 300 m north of the large sprawling complex of remains, Preah Theat Tuk Chha Temple. Overgrown (at least in early 2022), it’s an elongated structure, not a temple, but another type of functional building that early French researchers noted as “dwellings” or “palais”. … Read more
Contemporary monastery and pagoda and provenance of an inscribed stele registered under K. 27 which is stored at the nearby Angkor Borei Museum. The contemporary pagoda we see today retains fragments of its important post and pre-Angkorian era heritage with sandstone pedestals implanted and used to demarcate the pagoda itself. Historical Images The images below … Read more
Contemporary monastery and pagoda located on the river bank of Angkor Borei. A seated Buddha statue was removed from the pagoda here and now resides in the Phnom Penh National Museum. According to Nancy Dowling’s study, the statue likely dates to 660-665 AD. The statue was lacquered which, researchers discovered had taken place in four … Read more
Also recorded as Wat Kampeng, located behind the monastery’s pagoda is an ancient square brick temple on a raised laterite base tightly surrounded by funerary stupas. The brick temple opens to the east with a short forebody with a sandstone doorframe where remnants of round brick columns are seen flanking the doorway which also has … Read more
The large and tall ancient brick temple here conceals a spectacular rock formation that acts as the linga of the temple. Only the front wall of the temple remains standing with the inside protected by an additional tin roof. Outside the temple, the original lintel can be seen depicting Shiva and featuring female deities, Ganesha … Read more
Located on monastery grounds, surrounded by funerary stupa, stands a square brick temple. But how old is it? This might be a quite fascinating site that tells a tale of two eras. There are ancient remains including a pedestal and water spout at the site, while everything else is certainly from more recent times, but … Read more
Phnom Preah Netr Preah Temple is located atop the small mountain of the same name in the village of the same name features the remains of an ancient temple and rock carvings along with a contemporary monastery and pagoda. The ancient temple site is located on the southern side of the contemporary pagoda where a … Read more
One of the several brick shrines that surround the enclosure wall of Bakong Temple. This one, a tall tower that would have risen up with at least two false floors is still standing partially on two sides. It opens to the east with false doors on its other sides.
One of the several brick shrines inside the outer moat and surrounding the enclosure wall and inner moat of Bakong Temple. Only the base of the shrine remains and its pedestal. It opens to the east.
One of the several brick shrines inside the outer moat and surrounding the enclosure wall and inner moat of Bakong Temple. Only the base of the shrine remains, there may be traces of a wall? It opens to the east.
One of the several brick shrines inside the outer moat and surrounding the enclosure wall and inner moat of Bakong Temple. Perhaps the most interesting of all is a group of three brick temples with a large central tower that appears to possibly have had a mandapa, which is flanked by two smaller brick towers. … Read more
One of the several brick shrines inside the outer moat and surrounding the enclosure wall and inner moat of Bakong Temple. Partially standing brick temple still retaining its pedestal and in front, two octagonal decorated door columns (partly buried at the time). It opens to the south with a sandstone doorframe and false doors on … Read more
