Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar
Type
Cultural
Criteria
ii, iv
Designated
2023 (45th session)
Reference no.
1667
Region
Southeast Asia
This article contains Khmer text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Khmer script.
Koh Ker (Khmer: ប្រាសាទកោះកេរ្ដិ៍, Prasat Kaôh Ké[praːsaːtkɑhkeː]) is a remote archaeological site in northern Cambodia about 120 kilometres (75 mi) away from Siem Reap and the ancient site of Angkor. It is a jungle filled region that is sparsely populated. More than 180 sanctuaries were found in a protected area of 81 square kilometres (31 sq mi).[1]: 13 Only about two dozen monuments can be visited by tourists because most of the sanctuaries are hidden in the forest and the whole area is not fully demined.
Koh Ker is the modern name for an important city of the Khmer empire. In inscriptions the town is mentioned as Lingapura (city of lingams) or Chok Gargyar[2]: 70 (translated as city of glance,[3] or as iron tree forest).[1]: 8–9
Under the reign of the kings Jayavarman IV and Harshavarman II Koh Ker was briefly the capital of the whole empire (928–944 AD). Jayavarman IV enforced an ambitious building program. An enormous water-tank and about forty temples were constructed under his rule. The most significant temple‑complex, a double sanctuary (Prasat Thom/Prang), follows a linear plan and not a concentric one like most of the temples of the Khmer kings. Unparalleled is the 36-metre (118 ft)-high seven‑tiered pyramid, which most probably served as state temple[4]: 103 of Jayavarman IV. Really impressive too are the shrines with the two‑meter 6 ft 7 in high lingas.
Under Jayavarman IV, the style of Koh Ker was developed and the art of sculpture reached a pinnacle. A great variety of statues were chiseled. Because of its remoteness, the site of Koh Ker was plundered many times by looters. Sculptures of Koh Ker can be found not only in different museums, but also in private collections. Masterpieces of Koh Ker are offered occasionally at auctions. These pieces, in present times, are considered stolen art.
The site is about two and half hours away from Siem Reap, and guests can stay in the nearby village of Seyiong, 10 km from the temples where there is a number of guests houses. Travellers can also stay in Koh Ker Jungle Lodge Homestay, a sustainable tourism project built in the village of Koh Ker in 2009, by booking in advance of arrival. The Koh Ker community in May 2019 open a basic wooden community rest house in the village.
The site of Koh Ker was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 17 September 2023 during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[5][6]
^ abCite error: The named reference csaba was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Higham, C., 2001, The Civilization of Angkor, London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, ISBN 9781842125847
^Jolyon Ralph & Ida Chau. "Hematite from Cambodia". Retrieved 1 April 2013.
^Coedès, George (1968). Walter F. Vella (ed.). The Indianized States of Southeast Asia. trans.Susan Brown Cowing. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-0368-1.
^"Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
^Tan, Noel Hidalgo (2023-09-18). "Koh Ker becomes Cambodia's Fourth UNESCO World Heritage Site". SEAArch - Southeast Asian Archaeology. Archived from the original on 2023-09-19. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Khmer script. KohKer (Khmer: ប្រាសាទកោះកេរ្ដិ៍, Prasat Kaôh Ké [praːsaːt kɑh keː]) is a remote...
Angkor since the death of their father. In 921 he set up his own capital at KohKer: an inscription dated 921 states, "Jayavarman IV left the city of Yashodharapura...
difficult to reach, but a road recently built to the temple complex of KohKer passes Beng Mealea and more visitors are coming to the site, as it is 77 km...
districts and one municipality, further divided into 51 communes. KohKer complex: KohKer was once the capital city of Khmer Empire Bakan or Preah Khan Kompong...
(after El Mirador and Great Pyramid of Cholula). The archaeological site of KohKer in northern Cambodia contains a seven‑tiered pyramid called Prang which...
sites. One such site is the ancient Khmer capital of KohKer. Built in the 10th century, KohKer is home to dozens of magnificent temples and is now poised...
requests 'Bokator' and 'KohKer' on the World Heritage List". Khmer Times. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021. "KohKer Listed As A World Heritage...
Angkor Preah Vihear Sambor Prei Kuk KohKer The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates World Heritage Sites...
Angkor region through the north which is called KohKer. The architectural style of temples in KohKer, scale of buildings diminishes toward center. Brick...
of the World Heritage Committee in 1991. The latest site inscribed are KohKer: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar in Cambodia,...
dating back to the era of King Jayavarman IV, who ruled from 928 to 941 CE. KohKer, situated approximately fifty miles north of Angkor Wat, served as the...
from 941 to 944. He succeeded his father in 941; however, his reign at KohKer was brief and "characterized by conflict".: 73 His cousin, Rajendravarman...
of the stone blocks; the temple now seen was built primarily during the KohKer and Baphuon periods of the 11th century. Minor changes were made during...
8581318°E / 13.4253122; 103.8581318 Architecture Type Khmer (Bakheng to KohKer style) Creator Harshavarman I, restored by Rajendravarman II Completed...
see the complex as a whole from any one point. The fifth gopura, in the KohKer style, retains traces of the red paint with which it was once decorated...
with the advent of Chen-la, the hub of the kingdom moved farther west, to KohKer and Angkor and the region lost its importance. In the 15th century, the...
Garuda (Khmer: គ្រុឌ, Krŭd) in KohKer style. Made of sandstone, this statue is from the first half of tenth century, (Angkor period). On display at the...
recognisable specific art styles of the Angkorian period: Kulen style (c.825-875) KohKer style (941-944) Baphuon style (1010-1080) Angkor Wat style (1100-1175)...
Arogayasala in Jayavarman VII's capital of KohKer. This temple has provided evidence for the continued occupation of KohKer beyond the 10th century, an important...
Khmer Empire (modern Cambodia). He moves the capital north from Angkor to KohKer. Summer – Pope John X is deposed and imprisoned in Castel Sant'Angelo at...
Global Information
