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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.
ArchitectureGateway: Prasat Banteay Srei
Gopura or the gateway of Prasat Banteay Srei is decorated with the triangular pediment. The shape of the pediment is obviously derived from the timber origin while the scrolls at the both ends of the gable are associated with the Makara’s trunk. This kind of pediment has been used before at Koh Ker and it has been continued to some Baphoun-period temples, including Preah Vihear.
ArchitectureMandapa: Prasat Banteay Srei
Prasat Banteay Srei is the temple on the flat platform. The central axis is emphasized by the rectangular front-hall (Maṇḍapa) in the east-west axis. This hall is normally functioned as the ceremonial hall for all devotees who were prohibited to enter the sanctum. The front pediment depicts Indra on the elephant Airavata, the god of the east. This god is normally depicted at this direction even though the temple does not belong to him.
