Parmentier

Henri Parmentier (1871-1949) continued on the earlier inventory works of ancient Cambodia by Aymonier and Lajonquiere, comprehensively documenting numerous temples and archaeological ruins. This inventory work was published within Complément à l’inventaire descriptif des monuments du Cambodge (1913), L’Art Khmer Primitif (1929), and L’Art Khmer Classique (1939). The map below presents the sites documented in those three works.

Spean Toch

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

Preah Theat Khvav Temple

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

Nong Khou Temple

Also known as Prasat Nang Kou and Nong Kuh, it is located around 10km east of Svay Leu in Siem Reap Province. The site is located on the eastern side of a broad hill that overlooks farmland mostly being cultivated today to grow cassava and mango. On visiting in 01/2023, the site is quite overgrown … Read more

Trapeang Kuk Temple

Remains of an (unusual) square sandstone cell with remains of an enclosure and basin in the east (report: Cisark). Location approximate

Trapeang Khnar Sen Keo Temple

Located around 12 km south of Kulean in Preah Vihear Province, Prasat Trapeang Khnar Sen Keo is the remains of a sandstone temple complex that featured a large basin to the north, another basin to the east, bollarded and paved entrances on the east and west that crossed a large moat, then, a tall sandstone … Read more

Pram Temple (Koh Ker)

Prasat Pram, or Pram Temple, of Koh Ker is another of the must-see temples and one of the iconic photo spots of the area. It is a group of three square brick temples built on a common terrace fronted by two “library” buildings, one in brick and one in laterite. The site is surrounded by … Read more

Neang Khmau Temple (Koh Ker)

Also recorded as Neang Khmaw Temple or Prasat Neang Khmao, it is a large square temple constructed of laterite atop a sandstone base that is surrounded by a laterite wall. It features several false levels reducing in size to the top that have accent pieces and at each corner a “mini prasat” decorative piece. The … Read more

Andong Preng

Ancient basin with sandstone capping, 50 m x 25 m. Henri Parmentier’s description from L’Art khmèr classique , monuments du quadrant Nord-Est, 1939 Andón Prén 273 (M. H. 263). I also borrow in part the description of I. de Lajonquière for the Andón Prén by correcting it or completing it in italics: It is a basin … Read more

Boeng Khnar Temple

Also known as Prasat Khnar, the temple once featured a massive linga recorded as being 7 m high and 4 m wide that was supported by an equally massive pedestal measuring 3 m high and 7 m wide. The temple lies on the centerline axis of the large Rohal Baray, and working in concert with … Read more

Damrei Temple (Koh Ker)

Prasat Damrei of Koh Ker, also recorded as Damrei Kandoeng, features the remains of a square brick temple fronted by two brick “library” or annex buildings which are all enclosed by a laterite wall. Whilst today the site is entered by a platform that crosses the south wall, this laterite enclosure originally opened to the … Read more

Prasat Chen (Koh Ker)

Prasat Chen, or Chen Temple of Koh Ker is a group of three laterite temples on a common terrace that was fronted and flanked by two brick “library” buildings, an enclosure wall of laterite with brick entrance gopura to the east and west followed by another laterite enclosure wall that featured a long laterite terrace. … Read more

Banteay Pir Choan Temple

Prasat Banteay Pir Choan is one of the must-see temples at Koh Ker. The site featured an outer laterite enclosure wall with entrance gopura (gate) on the east and west inside of which was another enclosure wall that surrounded the shrines being a single grand shrine surrounded by eight smaller shrines. The layout of the … Read more

Prasat Thom (Koh Ker)

Prasat Thom is the principal temple complex of the Koh Ker group and also encloses some 21 shrines and the iconic pyramid, Prasat Prang on its western side behind which is the great mound, known as the Tomb of the White Elephant, whilst on its far eastern side are the remains of two structures connected … Read more

Prasat Prang Koh Ker

One of the iconic temples of the ancient Khmer Empire, Prasat Prang is a giant seven-level stepped pyramid temple attributed to the reign of King Jayavarman IV and the 10th century. It is the highlight of the Koh Ker group of temples that was, for a brief period, the ancient capital of the empire before … Read more

Kuk Temple

The partially standing remains of a single brick temple. Whilst not much is left, it’s still intriguing. Only the front eastern wall and part of the north and south wall remain. It would have likely had a forebody extending its eastern entrance with some remnants seen. The forebody would have had a raised floor or … Read more

Phnom Banteay Neang

A brick temples group, ruined, from which the registration K. 213, K. 214 and K. 791 come and where you can see two rock inscriptions. The remains were spread atop a hill on an esplanade first thirty meters wide and a cave in the side of the second hill. (Aymonier)

Phnom Prasat

Ruined remains of a small brick temple on the summit of Phnom Prasat.

Phnom Khyang Temple

Located on the north side of a small mountain bearing the same name Phnom Khyong or Khyang Mountain, you can find a staircase leading up to a cave that houses a very ancient brick temple. A metal staircase leads down into a large cavernous area and straight ahead, take the small steel ladder to the … Read more

Prasat Phnom Totong

Also known as Phnom Totoeng Temple, Located on the side of a giant rock massif, within a cave, is a small but very ancient brick temple. The site is located at the eastern end of the mountain, or massif, and on its northern side. At the opposite end is a large cement factory. There is … Read more

Phnom Chhngok Temple

Located around 12 km from Kampot, 25 km from Kep, and 140 km from Phnom Penh, Phnom Chhngok is a small mountain featuring a Buddhist temple on one side and on its western side a cave featuring an ancient temple dating to the 5th century Funan Era. From the site entrance on the western side … Read more

Han Chey Temple

The monastery of Wat Hanchey overlooks the Mekong River from its hilltop location featuring ancient sites that date back to the 7th and 8th centuries during the Chenla Era. The monastery is area is large, featuring several sculptures, pagoda, halls, a recreation of an Angkorian era temple, seating with views over the massive Mekong river … Read more

Preah Theat Toek Chha

Also recorded as Preah Theat Tuk Chha Temple, it is a large sprawling area with the remains of an ancient temple complex that centers on a partially standing brick temple surrounded by the remnants of satellite structures, an outer wall, and further satellite structures. The entire site is constructed on an east-northeast angle, with large … Read more

Kuk Trapeang Kuk (Wat Trapeang Kong)

A contemporary monastery built on an ancient site. Only remnants of the ancient site were ever recorded, some of which can still be seen at the site including door steps (or moonstones) of the ancient temple. As of June 2022, a new pagoda is under construction with a lot of the sculptures being carved from … Read more

Preah Theat Toch Temple (Banteay Prei Nokor)

Within the walls of Banteay Prei Nokor, 250 m to the southeast of Preah Theat Thom, are the partially standing remains of what was originally a group of three brick temples that opened to the north. Only one brick tower remains and is believed to date to the time of King Bhavavarman I in the … Read more

Banteay Prei Nokor (Tbong Khmum)

An ancient citadel consisting of a large square enclosure, 2.5 km x 2.5 km, surrounded by a moat and berm. It dates back to the 7/8th century while also being a quite important location in the 16th century. Once you cross the moat, head to the monastery, Wat Prei Angkor Knoung Sdech Kan, and you’ll … Read more

Preah Theat Preah Srei Temple (Tbong Khmum)

Preah Theat Preah Srei is one of my favourite sites in Cambodia featuring an unusual and grand pagoda that elegantly incorporated the ruins of the ancient temple that once existed at the site. Originally the site featured a brick temple complex, which as mentioned, has been consumed into the contemporary pagoda and monastery that was … Read more