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The Chenla Kingdom rose to power in
Cambodia in the 6th century AD. The Chenla were ethnic
Khmers who migrated to southeast Asia in AD 550 from
what is now Yunnan, China and northeast India. In
618 King Isanavaram established Sambor Prei Kuk
as the capital of the kingdom (at that time the
city was called Isanapura). The Chenla Kingdom was
divided in the early 8th century into Upper Chenla
(or "land" Chenla) that extended along the
Mekong River into what is now Laos and eastern Thailand,
and Lower Chenla (or "water" Chenla)
which included present day Cambodia and southern portions
of Vietnam. The two Kingdoms were reunited at the
beginning of the 9th century under Jayavarman II,
ushering in the Angkor era of Khmer history.
Sambor Prei Kuk contains approximately 150 temples and
towers, remarkable for their architectural and artistic
achievements: achievements that predate Angkor Wat by
several centuries. The majority of these temples have
fallen into a severe state of disrepair. Vandals and
relic hunters have pillaged the site, stealing much
of the statuary from the structures. US bombing in the
early 1970s completely destroyed a number of temples,
and those remaining have been invaded by the jungle
surrounding them. Trees sprout from temple walls, vines
hang from roofs, and creatures have burrowed their ways
through the brick and sandstone.
ARCHITECTURE
Sambor Prei Kuk is made up of four main groups of
temples: the Northern Group, the Small Group
Z, the Central Group and the Southern
Group, all of which are dedicated to Shiva or
one of his numerous forms. The Southern Group contains
some of the best structures at the site. Eight octagonal
towers and ancillary gate-lodges comprise the impressive
group of buildings. The exterior walls of the towers
are adorned with sculpted brick panels, about two
metres high. The panels contain relief carvings of
outstanding quality, although badly damaged.
The main temple of the Southern Group, Prasat
Neak Poan, houses a broken linga pedestal
and contains fine examples of relief carvings which,
at one point, would have had an outer coating of stucco.
Where the stucco has fallen away remains the sketched
outlines of the original carvings.
The only structure still intact among the Central
Group is the Prasat Tao. Two stone lions -
where originally there were four, two having been
stolen - stand at the main entrance of this spectacular
brick tower. The Northern Group includes nine temples
and the main tower, Prasat Sambo, which was
badly damaged during US bombing. The carved sandstone
columns, lintels and doorframes testify to the artistic
achievements of the Chenla people.
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