Koh Ker – Prasat Thom 7-Tier Pyramid
Prasat Thom · Koh Ker Pyramid · Rong Chen Temple
Angkorian Koh Ker period 928–944 CE (Jayavarman IV brief capital)·Khmer (Angkorian Koh Ker)·🇰🇭 Preah Vihear Province, Koh Ker region, Cambodia
About
About Koh Ker – Prasat Thom 7-Tier Pyramid
Brief Angkor capital under Jayavarman IV (928–944): Prasat Thom 36 m high 7-tier sandstone-faced pyramid 55 × 55 m base, steep stair east with giant garuda and yama free-standing sculptures, summit sanctuary housing colossal linga (4.5 m) fed by hidden drainage for abhisheka ritual. 118 towers 52 m high lintel. Jungle isolated 117 temples over 35 km², looted axes and shaft looting holes. UNESCO 2023.
Why it mattersOnly pyramid-style temple mountain in Khmer sequence mimicking Angkor Wat evolution in megalith form.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why 16-year capital abandoned – Jayavarman IV water logistics vs Harshavarman challenge
Theories
- 01Site deliberately remote to assert divine kingship away from Yasodharapura elite; failure of reservoirs forced return
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.928–944 CE
- Period
- Angkorian Koh Ker period 928–944 CE (Jayavarman IV brief capital)
- Culture
- Khmer (Angkorian Koh Ker)
- Purpose
- State temple mountain dedicated to Shiva (Tribhuvanamaheshvara) – axis mundi of Jayavarman IV
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.928–944 CE
Initial construction
c. 1561 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
13.7750° N · 104.5472° E · 80 m · 3 mapped features
Prasat Thom 36m 7-tier pyramid
pyramid36 m temple mountain with 4.5 m linga shaft
13.7830° N · 104.5370° EGaruda platform east stair base
statue2 free-standing garudas guarding eastern causeway
13.7832° N · 104.5375° EPrasat Bram (face tower) baray north
reservoirBaray reservoir and causeway north
13.7840° N · 104.5400° E
Gallery