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ArchitectureSubsidiary Towers: Prasat Bakhaeng
Prasat Bakaeng is the stepped pyramidal temple which rests on the living natural rock. The whole complex is made of stone as the living rock is strong enough to support the stone complex which is so different from the former example of its kind. On the top of the base there exist the five main towers arranged in quincunx plan, surrounded by sixty smaller towers. Each of them, strictly faces eastwards, used to enshrine Śivalinga. Total towers, assumes by scholars, would be 108 towers in number which is the number of auspiciousness in Hinduism.
ArchitectureStep pyramidal base: Koh Ker
This temple is consider to be the most majestic stepped pyramidal temple in Khmer art as the pyramidal base is of seven steps. The top of the base, there was a tower, now lost. The stepped pyramidal temple in Koh Ker period ism in some aspects, similar to Prasat Paksi Chamkrong at Angkor.
ArchitectureGateway: Koh Ker
Prasat Koh Ker is the complex comprising the step pyramidal temple (nowadays called as Prasat Thom) and the group of temple on the low platform. In the front of the group there exists the lofty brick gateway. This gateway reveals the new step of evolution as two doors are provided in the both sides, different from the normal brick tower which is normally in single-doored scheme.
ArchitectureElongate Salle with triangular Pediment: Koh Ker
The elongate hall at Koh Ker is made of stone topped by the already-lost timber-and-tiled roof. The front triangular pediment is the imitation of the wooden structure whereas the end of the gable is decorated with the scrollwork inspired from the trunk of Makara. This kind of pediment has been popular not only in Koh Ker period but also in Banteay Srei and Baphoun periods. Banteay Srei and Preah Vihear temples are the prime example for this kind of pediment. Interestingly, the holes visible at the edge of the gable were meant for supporting the already-lost wooden beams of the roof structure.
ArchitecturePrasat Pre Rup
Similar to other Early Angkorian temples, Pre Rup is the brick temple on the top of the stepped-pyramidal platforms. However, the further development is noticeable from the multiplicity of the main temple from one to five in number. Below the platform are the long halls which are the precursor of the elongate connected gallery in the later period. These halls were presumably functioned as the lodges or the treasuries for the temple. In the front exists the rectangular platform, possible to be the base for the statue of Nandi which already lost.
ArchitectureElongate Salle: Prasat Pre Rup
At Prasat PreR up, the elongate pavilions surrounding the main complex were firstly introduced. These pavilions are possible to be the storages or the rest houses. Interestingly, these pavilions are not yet the connected ones. This anticipates the connected elongate gallery which would be firstly initiated at Prasat Takeo.
ArchitecturePrasat East Mebon
East Mebon, very similar to Pre Rup, is the temple with 5 towers on the top of the stepped platforms. However the stepped platforms here are lower than those of Pre Rup. As this temple was dedicated to the ancestors, the flatter platform is provided ancestral temple in accordance with the Devaraja cult conceptualization in Cambodia. This temple locates in the middle of East Baray, comparable to Lolei which is also located in the middle of the reservoir Indratadaga.
ArchitectureBases: Prasat East Mebon
Prasat East Mebon locates in the middle of the East Reservoir, or the East Baray. The laterite stepped bases at this temple are, therefore, the barks of the artificial island in the middle of the lake. However, the lake is nowadays dried up. The laterite is strong enough to support the temple but it is not suitable to be carved. At every corner of the complex there are sculptures of elephants.
