First temple of Khnach Tol unearthed

[geovalin]

Workers, led by a team of 15 archaeologists and conservationists from the Sambo Prei Kuk National Authority have completed excavations of the first demarcated cluster at the Khnach Tol temple complex of the ancient city of Isanborak that is located in Kampong Thom province. The dig has unearthed a group of ruined temples buried in the ground of the archaeological site of Sambor Prei Kuk, “the temple in the richness of the forest” in the Khmer language.

 

The excavations began in March and were completed late last month. The archaeological site of Sambor Prei Kuk comprises more than a hundred temples and was inscribed on the World Heritage List on July 8, 2017. The director general of the Sambo Prei Kuk National Authority, Phan Nady, said yesterday that the temple unearthed in the first cluster dig was completely buried in the ground and covered with forest.

 

“The excavations found two towers buried in the ground, one a square shape and the other octagonal shape. The octagonal temple is a feature that did not exist in Southeast Asia in the 7th century.” “The archaeologists also found some diamond pillars and sandstone remnants in the ground, which may be evidence of the temple structure.

 

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