Ak Yum — Earliest Khmer Pyramid
Pre-Angkor (8th c. CE, re-dated 8th)·Chenla–Pre-Angkor·🇰🇭 Siem Reap Province, Cambodia
About
About Ak Yum — Earliest Khmer Pyramid
Ak Yum — Earliest Khmer Pyramid in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia is a Pre-Angkor (8th c. CE, re-dated 8th) pyramid attributed to Chenla–Pre-Angkor. 3-tier brick pyramid 100 × 100 m, earliest Khmer step pyramid prototype for Bakong. Predates Bakong by 180 years, under West Baray south dike, excavated Trouvé 1935.
Why it mattersType-site for Chenla–Pre-Angkor temple architecture
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronological sequence refinement
- 02Iconography program
Theories
- 01Shaivite cult centre
- 02Hydraulic kingship model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 700 CE
- Period
- Pre-Angkor (8th c. CE, re-dated 8th)
- Culture
- Chenla–Pre-Angkor
- Purpose
- 3-tier brick pyramid 100 × 100 m, earliest Khmer step pyramid prototype for Bakong
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 700 CE
Initial construction
c. 1990 CE
UNESCO / EFEO restoration
On the ground
Structures & features
13.4300° N · 103.7900° E · 20 m · 3 mapped features
Ak Yum — Earliest Khmer Pyramid — Summit Sanctuary
summitTop prang shrine
13.4301° N · 103.7901° EAk Yum — Earliest Khmer Pyramid — Stepped Terrace
terracePyramid terrace tier
13.4298° N · 103.7901° EAk Yum — Earliest Khmer Pyramid — Causeway Approach
causewayProcessional causeway
13.4304° N · 103.7898° E