Étienne-Edmond Lunet de Lajonquière (1861-1933), with local assistants, expanded upon the earlier work of Aymonier to create a comprehensive inventory of ancient Khmer temples and ruins. This work was published in three volumes: Inventaire descriptif des monuments du Cambodge I, II, & III (1901-1911). The map below shows the sites listed within those three volumes.
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
The site is located at the western edge of the baray of Preah Khan of Kampong Svay, preceding the temple proper by around 500m. Prasat Preah Stoeng, also recorded as Preah Stun/Stung temple, is believed to date to the 12th century. It features the remains of an outer galleried enclosure containing a “library” building and … Read more
Also known as Ben Sre temple, it is the remains of a tall laterite tower noted as being similar to Prasat Suor Prat seen fronting the Royal Palace at Angkor Thom. It is only partially standing and laterite blocks scatter the ground around its perimeter.
Small mound where statue fragments were found, and stele with inscription registered as K 940.
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
Small laterite bridge. Not seen, I believe the road/path diverts around what might be the location of the bridge.
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
Located north of Wat Svay Leu and at the foothills of Phnom Kulen, Peung Komnou features stunning rock carvings. There are actually several separate carvings to see here on a group of rock monoliths. The trail leading to the site is suitable for moto/bike/hike although a vehicle could certainly make it part ways there. The … Read more
Located on the north side of Phnom Kulen and south of the village of Kronhoung, there are numerous rock monoliths, many of which taper in at the bottom creating a natural shelter, it’s a fascinating place. This particular monolith appears to have been a hermit/ascetics lair, featuring several carvings and remnants of walls formed of … Read more
Located on the north side of Phnom Kulen and south of the village of Kronhoung, at the foot of the mountain slope, it’s a spectacular rock monolith that tapers in at the bottom creating a rock shelter. This natural shelter has in ancient times been put to good use, featuring quite a well-executed rock carving … Read more
A small laterite bridge with 4 arches with sandstone balustrade. It is recorded as measuring 12 m long, 8 m wide and 2.8 m high. Interestingly, it features very basic arches (post and lintel style construction) and is not typical of the beautiful corbelled arches seen on nearly all of the bridges along this route. … Read more
Prasat Ta En is a very ruinous “firehouse“, which was a common feature along the east and northwest roads of the ancient royal road network. It is believed that they were part of a larger resting place for travellers and pilgrims. It sits 60-100m north of where the ancient East Road once connected Beng Mealea to … Read more
Another feature along the ancient royal road, Prasat Pram, was what the early French archeologists called “Temples d’étape” in simple terms, what they believed to be a temple that was part of a staging or stopping place. Other temples of this type include Prasat Toap Chey Thom, Prasat Chrei, and others, which are only found … Read more
Located 4 km south of the village of Khvav, it’s a square laterite temple tower preceded by a terrace on the monastery grounds of Wat Preah Serei Rokha Theat. The site features an incredible collection of ancient temple remnants. The temple tower and terrace (now converted into a more contemporary pagoda) are demarcated by sandstone … Read more
Remains of a brick temple site
Also known as Prasat Chhuk, it is situated to the north of Preah Khan of Kampong Svay and west of Phnom Tnoat and sits at the southern end of a large basin recorded as Trapeang Chhouk. It features three well-preserved laterite towers that are aligned on a north-south axis, opening to the east, and further … Read more
Cave temple located on Phnom Tnaot, also known as Prah Khpur and Preah Kpul. Historical Notes Prah Khpur. The cave designated by this name is located towards the middle of the eastern slopes of Phnom Tenot; it opens halfway up, at the bottom of a narrow and bushy ravine formed by the bed of a … Read more
Located in Preah Vihear province, north of Phnom Tnoat and south of Kdak village, Prasat Phnom Mrech features a pair of ancient brick shrines situated on the mountain slope overlooking the beautiful plains below. The entrance to the site is flanked by two boundary markers depicting Buddha on Naga and a guardian devata on the … Read more
Also known as Sangkae North temple as there is reportedly another temple (or remnants thereof) located 1km to the south. This small square laterite temple is partially standing, opens to the east, and several sandstone fragments can be seen including a fragment of a round pedestal, another round fragment, a fragment decorated with foliage, and … Read more
Also recorded as Prasat Chen Cho Kas Ko, it’s located about 4.5 km northeast of La Ang Village near the Siem Reap-Preah Vihear border. Note that in Srayang commune, there is another temple of the same name 12km to the east. This site features a laterite outer enclosure wall with a bell-style capping, opening to … Read more
Also known as Prasat Chamrek Chau, and located in Srayang Commune of Preah Vihear province, about 6km south of road 64 and 4km southeast of Prasat Pram, it’s the remains of three brick temples that were surrounded by an outer laterite enclosure with a gopura on the east and west. On the north side of … Read more
30 m long and 10 m wide laterite bridge with partial balustrade.
Also recorded as Prasat Preah Trapeang North, it is the remains of a square laterite temple. The temple stands alone, opening to the east with a sandstone doorframe with false doors and pilasters formed in laterite on its other sides. There’s a large mound of bricks with earlier site reports speculating about the temple having … Read more
Also known as Prasat Trapeang South, it’s the remains of a group of laterite temples inc three towers, library, surrounded by a wall and moat. The three laterite towers are in quite a good state of preservation yet noting the lintel and door columns, were seemingly uncompleted, never having received their final decoration which is … Read more