Koh Ker

Koh Ker is a secluded archaeological site in northern Cambodia, around 120 kilometers from Siem Reap and the Angkor Wat temple complex. It is a jungle-filled, scarcely inhabited region. In an 81-square-kilometer protected region, more than 180 sanctuaries were discovered. Tourists may only visit approximately a dozen monuments because the majority of the sanctuaries are concealed in the forest and the entire region has not been properly demined.

In such a short period of time, very beautiful buildings and massive sculptures were built. Prasat Thom, a 30 meter (98 ft) tall temple pyramid towering far above the surrounding forest, dominates the site.

Koh Ker was one of Cambodia's most distant and inaccessible temple locations for over a millennium, having been abandoned by the forest. This has altered as a result of recent de-mining and the building of a new toll road.

The vast, towering temples of Koh Ker replace the older brick-built towers (which may still be seen at some of the earlier Lingapura sites) with gigantic laterite buildings and significant sandstone use. Entranceways are becoming increasingly intricate, as seen by the royal temple complexes Prasart Krahom and Prasart Thom, and numerous, concentric sanctuary or courtyard walls are a prominent feature.

The sculpture was also creative, with gigantic sandstone statues and the insertion of big, carved stone pediments above the door lintels representing the Koh Ker style. Unfortunately, due to the remoteness of the location and the collectability of such pictures, much has been plundered throughout time, however stunning specimens may still be viewed in the state museums of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.