Sambor Prei Kuk is the site of an ancient city called īçānapura, which flourished as the capital of Chenla in the late 6th early 7th century. This capital was home to several Hindu temples that marked the start of a process of architectural evolution culminating in the spectacular architecture of the Khmer civilization, as exemplified in Angor Wat. During pre-Angkorian times before the foundation of Khmer Empire in the beginning of 9th century, religious places generally consisted of a single brick shrine, in contrast to the large and varied temple complexes that emerged later. However, current comprehensive field research in the archaeological site of Sambor Prei Kuk recorded a number of unknown brick structures and diverse temple layouts by composing several structures. Among these, three temple complexes stand out for their distinctive features: Prasat Sambor, Prasat Yeai Poeun, and Prasat Tao. These temple complexes consisted of square enclosures with a central shrine at the center and numerous other structures in the adjacent precinct, and were the prototype of the three different types of temple complexes in the Angkorian period. This article focuses on the layout of these three temple complexes to reveal the fundamental components and principle layout of temple complexes in the early stage of development and illustrate the progression to more complexities in temple construction in the later period. Based on the precise analysis of the dimensional layout of Prasat Sambor, along with findings from archeological surveys, it was revealed that this temple complex embodied the features of the pyramidal state-temples that served as the central religious facility of their respective periods. Additionally, from an analysis of their dimensional layout, the planning techniques for the temple complex, as well as the unit of construction measure used for planning this temple, were identified.
References
[1]
Chhum, M., Shimoda, I., & Nakagawa, T. (2013). Construction and Utilization Dating of Temples Based on Existing Remains Inside the City Compound-Structure of the Ancient Khmer City of Isanapura (Part I). Journal of Architecture and Planning, 78, 1865-1874. https://doi.org/10.3130/aija.78.1865
[2]
Cœdès, G. (1924). Inscription du Cambodge, Vol. 1, Hanoi. Paris, études Cambodgiennes. Bulletin de l’école Française d’Extrême-Orient, 24, 69-71.
[3]
Cœdès, G. (1965). Le Rôle de la Pyramide de Koh Ker dans l’évolution du Temple-Mon-tagne Khmer. Paranavitana, Felicitation Volume, 61-66.
[4]
Goloubew, V. (1927). Chronique. Sambor Prei Kuk. Bulletin de l'école Française d’Extrême-Orient, 27, 489-492.
[5]
Groslier, B. P. (1981). Introduction to the Ceramic Wares of Angkor. In D. Stock (Ed.), Khmer Ceramics: 9th-14th Century (pp. 9-39). Singapore: Oriental Ceramic Society.
[6]
Kojima, Y., & Shigeeda, Y. (2019). On the Measurements of the Foundation and Temple Layout of Ta Kev in Angkor Period, Basic Study on the Temple Complex and the Construction Method of Khmer Architecture. Journal of Architecture and Planning, 759, 1247-1257. https://doi.org/10.3130/aija.84.1247
[7]
Kubo, S., Nagumo, N., Chhum, M., & Shimoda, I. (2016). Radiocarbon Ages and Stratigraphy in the City Area of the Sambor Prei Kuk Pre-Angkor Archaeological Site, Cambodia. Bulletin of the Graduate School of Education of Waseda University, 26, 43-55.
[8]
Kubo, S., Shimamoto, S., Nagumo, N., Yamagata, M., Him, S., So, S., Chang, V., Lun, V., Shimoda, I., & Nakgawa, T. (2012). Geomorphology, Archaeostratigraphy, and 14C Ages of Sambor Prei Kuk Pre-Angkorean Site, Central Cambodia. Bulletin of the Graduate School of Education of Waseda University, 22, 73-90.
[9]
Mannikka, E. (1996). Angkor Wat Time, Spaces, and Kingship. Honolulu, HI: University Hawaii Press.
[10]
Mauger, H. (1937). Le Phnom Bayan, IK 3. Bulletin de l’école Française d’Extrême-Orient, 37, 239-262. https://doi.org/10.3406/befeo.1937.5352
[11]
Miriam, S. (2003). Angkor Borei and the Archaeology of Cambodia’s Mekong Delta. J. Khoo (Ed.), Art and Archaeology of Fu Nan: Pre-Khmer Kingdom of the Lower Mekong Valley (pp. 87-106). Bangkok: Orchid Books.
[12]
Mizoguchi, A., Nakagawa, T., Asano, T., & Saito, N. (2007). On the Dimensional Plan of the Complex in Thommanon and Banteay Samre—Study on the Dimensional Plan and the Planning Method of Khmer Architecture No. 1. Journal of Architecture and Planning, 72, 131-138. https://doi.org/10.3130/aija.72.131_2
[13]
Mizoguchi, A., Nakagawa, T., Sato, K., & Shimoda, I. (2010a). The Ancient Khmer’s Dimensional Planning at the Prasat Thom in Koh Ker—Study on the Dimensional Plan and the Planning Method of Khmer Architecture No. 5. Journal of Architecture and Planning, 75, 1751-1759. https://doi.org/10.3130/aija.75.1751
[14]
Mizoguchi, A., Nakagawa, T., Sato, K., & Shimoda, I. (2010b). The Ancient Khmer’s Dimensional Planning at the Prasat Pram in Koh Ker—Study on the Dimensional Plan and the Planning Method of Khmer Architecture No. 4. Journal of Architecture and Planning, 75, 1273-1278. https://doi.org/10.3130/aija.75.1273
[15]
Mizoguchi, A., Nakagawa, T., Sato, K., Shimoda, I., & Furukawa, D. (2009). The Ancient Khmer’s Dimensional Planning at the Prang in Koh Ker—Study on the Dimensional Plan and the Planning Method of Khmer Architecture No. 3. Journal of Architecture and Planning, 74, 1449-1455. https://doi.org/10.3130/aija.74.1449
[16]
Mizoguchi, A., Nakagawa, T., Sato, K., Shimoda, I., & Momose, J. (2012). The Ancient Khmer’s Dimensional Planning at the Beng Mealea—Study on the Dimensional Plan and the Planning Method of Khmer Architecture No. 6. Journal of Architecture and Planning, 77, 157-164. https://doi.org/10.3130/aija.77.157
[17]
Narui, I., Nakagawa, T., & Koiwa, M. (2019). On the Dimensional Plan in Prasat Sambor Monuments in Sambor Prei Kuk Monuments—Study on the Technique of Planning Methods in Times of Pre-Angkor Period (1). Journal of Architecture and Planning, 84, 1463-1472. https://doi.org/10.3130/aija.84.1463
[18]
Parmentier, H. (1927). L’art Khmèr Primirif (Two Volumes). Vol. 21-22, Paris: école Française d’Extrême-Orient.
[19]
Santoni, M., & Hawixbrock, C. (1998). Laos. Fouilles et Prospections Dans la Région de Vat Phu (Province de Champassak. Sud du Laos). Bulletin de l’école Française d’Extrême-Orient, 85, 387-405. https://doi.org/10.3406/befeo.1998.2560
[20]
Shimamoto, S., Yamamoto, N., & Nakagawa, N. (2008). Reexamination on the Dating of Ceramics of Sambor Prei Kuk Found by B. P. Groslier. Journal of Southeast Asian Archaeology, 28, 47-60.
[21]
Shimoda, I., & Nakagawa, T. (2015). Diversity of the Primitive Khmer Architecture in Sambor Prei Kuk. Journal of Architecture and Planning, 80, 2923-2933.
[22]
Shimoda, I., & Shimamoto, S. (2012). Spatial and Chronological Sketch of the Ancient City of Sambor Prei Kuk. Aséanie, 30, 11-74.
[23]
Shimoda, I., Him, S., Seng, K., Chan, V., Chhum, M., So, S., & Nakagawa, T. (2006). Preliminary Report on the Excavation Survey at the Prasat Sambor, Sambor Prei Kuk, 2004-2005. Journal of Southeast Asian Archaeology, 26, 117-145.
[24]
Shimoda, I., Sugasawa, Y., Yonenobu, H., & Tabata, Y. (2015). Research on the Active Habitation Period of the Ancient Khmer City ISANAPURA. Journal of Southeast Asian Archaeology, 35, 1-14.
[25]
Shimoda, I., Uchida, E., & Tsuda, K. (2019). Estimated Construction Order of the Major Shrines of Sambor Prei Kuk Based on an Analysis of Bricks. Heritage, 2, 1941-1959. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage2030118