Aymonier

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.

BK18

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 this site remains along with its sandstone pedestal.

BK17

One of the several brick shrines inside the outer moat and surrounding the enclosure wall and inner moat of Bakong Temple. This site sits atop a large mound and perhaps beneath is a base structure yet to be revealed. What can be seen is the brickwork base of the temple and several sandstone pieces. Some … Read more

BK15

One of the several brick shrines inside the outer moat and surrounding the enclosure wall and inner moat of Bakong Temple. This site has not been completely cleared to date, remains of sandstone and brick can be seen through the overgrowth (late 2021).

BK13

One of the several brick shrines inside the outer moat and surrounding the enclosure wall and inner moat of Bakong Temple. At this site, only the base remains to be seen.

BK11

One of the several brick shrines inside the outer moat and surrounding the enclosure wall and inner moat of Bakong Temple. This one stands out as being a little unique from the other towers around the perimeter. It features a sandstone base with steps on each side that are flanked by alters that originally feature … Read more

BK7

One of the several brick shrines inside the outer moat and surrounding the enclosure wall and inner moat of Bakong Temple. This one is partially standing and at the site, there are some beautiful round decorated columns to be seen and the remains of a lintel.

BK6

One of the several brick shrines inside the outer moat and surrounding the enclosure wall and inner moat of Bakong Temple. This one is in great condition, rising up three levels, featuring a sandstone doorframe still in place and opening to the north with sandstone false doors on its other sides. Some remains of decorated … Read more

BK4

One of the several brick shrines inside the outer moat and surrounding the enclosure wall and inner moat of Bakong Temple. This one, only the base of the brick structure remains, some of it as rubble and some small parts in great condition. Its sandstone alter is still in place. There appears some mixed remains … Read more

BK2

One of the several brick shrines inside the outer moat and surrounding the enclosure wall and inner moat of Bakong Temple. This one, only the base of the brick structure remains with its sandstone alter still in place.

Prasat Dap (Yeang Commune, Preah Vihear)

Also recorded as Prasat Dab (at least on Google Maps) is another of Preah Vihear province’s fascinating remote sites. It wasn’t cleared (as of 04/2022) but has been previously and is likely to be cleared again at a guess as the Preah Vihear authorities work their way around the sites (see their Facebook page for … Read more

Ampil Rolom Temple

Located on the grounds of a contemporary monastery and pagoda, with a new monumental gate are the remains of an ancient brick temple featuring “flying palace” reliefs as are commonly seen across temples of the 8th-9th century. Also recorded as Prasat Bei, it was originally a group of three brick temples of which only the … Read more

Svay Ier Temple

Also noted as Svay Ie, Svay Loe, Bei Serei Sithor, and Wat Prasat Sirisotha. On the grounds of the contemporary monastery and pagoda is a standing brick temple, circa 10th century, that was once a group of three. The ancient temple sits tightly against the rear of the contemporary pagoda and is partially encapsulated by … Read more

Seri Sach Temple (Wat Preah Neang)

Located on the contemporary monastery grounds of Wat Preah Neang, are the partially standing remains of a laterite temple that once featured, a “library”, an outer enclosure wall, and a permanent basin. Of the ancient site, all that remains is a collection of laterite blocks underneath trees beside the modern stupa I’ll get to in … Read more

Preah Vihear Chan Temple

Located at the foot of the mountain and near the village of Ba Phnom, the site features the partially standing remains of a brick temple. The standing features are the sandstone doorframe and laterite blocks that appear to be a modern rearrangement. There are further remains on the northern and southern sides but uncleared. Immediately … Read more

Cheung Tien Temple

A contemporary monastery and pagoda that was built on the grounds of an ancient temple site. Visiting the site today, a large mound surrounded by a line of laterite, and sandstone blocks in places, marks the place of the Buddhist vihara that preceded the contemporary pagoda built to the south of the site. Working from … Read more

Trapeang Thnal Chhouk Temple

Also known as Trapeang Chhouk, located in Toek Kraham Commune of Choam Khsant District, it is a group of five brick temples enclosed by an outer brick wall. The five temples are arranged on a north-south axis and open to the east with three large temples, partially standing, behind which are two smaller temples mostly … Read more

Kraham Temple (Rolom Thma Village)

Set among the plains of Choam Khsant District, Prei Vihear Province, Prasat Kraham is a square brick temple that opens to the east with false doors on the other side formed by the brickwork. Remnants of the lintel and decorated door column can be seen at the site. Note: At Jan 2022, the site does … Read more

Chaeng Meng Temple

Located in Pring Thom Commune of Choam Khsan district, Prasat Chaeng Meng (also recorded as Prasat Chengmeng) is the remains of a partially standing small, square laterite temple. The temple featured a short hall or mandapa leading east with sandstone doorframes. Sandstone doorframes were also seen on the false doors of the other sides. Remains … Read more

Khnar Temple (Krala Peas Village)

Prasat Khnar of Choam Khsant district, Preah Vihear Province, is a large walled temple complex featuring the remains of several brick, laterite, and sandstone temples. A curious hodgepodge of structures when compared to the methodical layout of so many temple sites, thereby adding to the curiosity, along with being visually engaging for its art, and, … Read more

Kamphoeum Temple

Located just south of Krala Peas, Prasat Kamphoeum (or Prasat Kompong) is the remains of a brick temple group. Originally comprised of three brick temples, only the central temple remains standing. It is a square brick temple that opens to the east with false doors formed into the brickwork on its other sides. On the … Read more

Preah Ko Temple of Thala Borivat

Located in the Thala Borivat district of Stung Treng Province, Prasat Preah Ko (a name also shared by other sites) is the remains of a partially standing brick temple that once featured an outer enclosure wall and terrace. Fronting the temple today is a large sculpture of Nandin (Preah Ko) from which the temple draws … Read more

Pros Temple

Located right on the bank of the confluence of the Mekong and Sekong rivers, Prasat Pros, also known as Theat Ba Chong, is mostly lost to time although remnants of its construction can still be seen from the top of the river bank and from below at a low tide. The site is also the … Read more

Ta Nhean Khang Kaeut Temple

Also known as Ta Nhean East, it’s a rectangular brick temple located atop the Phnom Bayang mountain range at Kirivong, Takeo. The ancient temple is met by a short walk up the mountain, passing spectacular views that are also overlooked by ancient gods old and new. It’s a quite large brick temple, opening to the … Read more

Phnom Bayang Temple

Located atop the mountain of the same name, Prasat Phnom Bayang features a large temple complex located atop a small plateau high up on the mountain, Phnom Bayang. Not only spectacular for its amazing location, architecture, and artwork, the site also provides an array of ancient inscriptions revealing its importance from the 7th century through … Read more