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.
Also recorded as Vat Lo, Chean Chum, Pothivong Leu Pagoda, Can Cum, and Vat Pothivon Leu… It’s a contemporary monastery that is built upon a base of laterite likely originating from an ancient temple site. It is also the origin of inscriptions recorded under
Prasat Tao is the central sanctuary of Sambor Prei Kuk, and the main temple of the C group. The central shrine is a stunning monumental brick tower, believed to date back to the 7-8th century, and is renowned for its beautiful lions that adorn its entrance steps. The lions here are believed to be the … Read more
Contemporary monastery and pagoda where two ancient temples sites and remnants were discovered including an inscription from the 8th century registered under K. 29.
Phimeanakas (Khmer: ប្រាសាទភិមានអាកាស) is another of the grand pyramid-based state-temples that was the common archetype of the 8-11th century. Located inside the ancient Royal Palace of Angkor Thom, it is a grand three-tiered pyramid with a rectangular base whose corners are mounted with stone elephants and staircases flanked by lions which lead up to a … Read more
Today the site of a contemporary monastery and pagoda, it was built on the site of an ancient 7th-century temple whose remains are still visible. The monastery itself has a heritage dating to the Post-Angkorian period with an inscription discovered at the site dated to the 17th century. The Post-Angkorian inscription and a 7th-century inscription … Read more
Monastery built on the site of a ruined ancient square brick temple. Lieu of provenance of a recorded entry in the K 76 which was deposited in the National Museum of Angkor.
Also recorded as Prasat Kuha Nokor and located on the grounds of a contemporary monastery, Prasat Kuk Nokor features a laterite temple with “library” building, outer enclosure wall, entry gopura, and basins. Outer gopura Library Central shrine Sema and other remnants
Monastery built on the site of an ancient temple. Several remnants are collected on the western side of the pagoda including an ornate pediment fragment, chaitya/bollard, a very decayed lintel and other pieces. The pediment fragment is the most artistically intersting, featuring a depiction of Brahma (sadly beheaded) flanked by two “angels”. The contemporary pagoda … Read more
Also recorded as Thnot Chum, West Tnaot Choum Temple, and just Prasat Tnaot Chum. It is a large tall square brick temple that opens to the east with a sandstone doorframe and false doors set in the brickwork on its other sides. The ancient temple is in surprisingly good condition, rising up with four false … Read more
Also recorded as Prasat Kambot/Kombot and Ta Hem. This fascinating small temple hidden away in the back blocks of a farming area features impressive carvings of a standing Buddha on its north, west, and south walls. The towering relief carvings are quite decayed but still clear in their outline. The carvings break a double cornice … Read more
Also recorded as Prasat Phoum and Prasat Pagoda (on Google Maps), it is a tall rectangular brick temple of the 8th century located on the grounds of a contemporary monastery. The ancient temple was restored in 2007 and still preserves much of the beautiful artwork of that time which is attributed to “Kampong Preah style” … Read more
Located atop a hill about 15km to the northwest of Prasat Sambour Prei Kuk, Prasat Phnom Barieng features the remnants of very ancient brick temple group. A staircase on the northern side and road on the eastern side provide access up the hill where the remains of the temple are seen including two partially standing … Read more
Large mound with partially standing and remnants of a brick temple group Inscription
Located km north of Sandan village in Kampong Thom, Srae Prasat is what remains of a brick temple that may date back to the 6th or 7th century. It is the sole surviving temple in the area and also featured a basin to the east. The tower opens to the east with a sandstone door … Read more
Also recorded as Brasat Mohr Pagoda, a contemporary monastery featuring the remains of a gopura and causeway on the east side of its pagoda, with the pagoda itself built upon a base of laterite likely belonging to the ancient site. Inside the pagoda, monks care for a range of ancient decorated bollards. Remnants of an … Read more
Partially standing remains of a laterite and sandstone temple
Remains of a laterite temple with “library” and outer enclosure. The site is very easy to access being close by to road 62. As mentioned it is a walled site that featured a large entrance gopura on its east side with tall central temple that unusually opened on all four sides along with showing signs … Read more
Located almost 100 km directly east of Angkor Wat in the southwest corner of Preah Vihear Province, Preah Khan of Kampong Svay is a vast complex of sandstone and laterite constructions dating primarily from the 9th to 13th century with the majority of the site’s development and activity attributed to Suryavarman I (reign 1006–1050 AD), … Read more
Located at Preah Khan of Kampong Svay, Prasat Kat Kdei is a large square sandstone temple with a forebody featuring axial openings and columned windows. Also features its own enclosure wall. Inscription – K. 161 was recorded from the south doorframe containing 20 lines of Sanskrit – The inscription waxes-lyrical in hommage to King Suryavarman … Read more
Located at Preah Khan of Kampong Svay, immediately northeast of the grand baray, Preah Damrei is a large stepped pyramid featuring staircases on each side rising to the top and where the stairs were once flanked by lions and devata. At each corner sat grand elephant sculptures two of which can still be seen in … Read more
Prasat Svay Leu is an interesting site for many reasons. It is located on the contemporary monastery grounds and features an outer walled enclosure with an entrance on the east opening to a small courtyard with “library” buildings followed by another entrance gopura and walled enclosure occupied by the central shrine that has been replaced/covered … Read more
Also recorded as Poeng Ta Roet, it’s a long alcove in the mountainside below Wat Chas featuring an inscription and carvings dating to the 10th/11th century. The figures include a group of figures commonly known as the Nine Deities seated atop their mounts (Vahana) beside which are two standing deities. One of the standing deities … Read more
Built partway up the side of the scenic Kulen mountain, Ta Ong (or Prasat Tadong) was originally a group of three ancient brick temples, today one tower remains mostly standing. The tower features ornate lintels carved into the brickwork, reminiscent of 7th-century style, and a series of false floors almost appearing as temples stacked atop … Read more
Cave with carvings
Very small laterite bridge located northeast of Wat Svay Leu. It features corbelled arches. By eye, it is around 4-5 m wide and 6 m or so long with three visible arches. Across the top, it has deep ruts that one assumes are from usage in recent times. It also has sandstone plinths that are … Read more