Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological Site
Isanapura · Sambor Prei Kuk Temple Zone · Chenla Capital
Chenla pre-Angkor 600–800 CE; occupation to 15th c.·Shaiva Hindu and Mahayana·🇰🇭 Kampong Thom Province, Prasat Sambor District, 30 km north of Kampong Thom town, Stung Sen floodplain, Cambodia
About
About Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological Site
Chenla capital Isanapura (7th c., King Isanavarman I c.616–635) on Stung Sen floodplain, earliest Buddhist-Hindu temple-city before Angkor: 291 temples in three walled enclosures (Prasat Sambor, Yeay Poan, Ashram Maha Rosei) with octagonal brick towers on sandstone pedestals and earliest Khmer carved lintel (flying palace) and pre-Angkor inscription K6000. Inscribed 2017 as Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk.
Why it mattersMissing link between Funan-Oc Eo and Angkor Wat, proves continuous Khmer temple-city evolution 300 years earlier.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Which group is Isanavarman's palace vs temple?
Theories
- 01Chenla bifurcated north-south capital 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.616–635 Isanavarman I
- Period
- Chenla pre-Angkor 600–800 CE; occupation to 15th c.
- Culture
- Shaiva Hindu and Mahayana
- Builders
- King Isanavarman I
- Purpose
- Coastal–inland Chenla capital controlling Stung Sen trade
- Abandoned
- 802 Jayavarman II moves capital to Angkor
- Rediscovered
- 1880s Aymonier; 1960s Groslier air survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
616–635
Isanavarman I builds three walled enclosures on 18 km moated city
2017
UNESCO inscription 1532
On the ground
Structures & features
12.8670° N · 105.0373° E · 25 m · 1 mapped feature
Prasat Sambor (Group N) 7th c. octagonal towers
temple groupEnclosure with 9 octagonal brick towers
12.8675° N · 105.0378° E
Gallery