Phnom Banan — Battambang Hill Temple
Angkor (11th c. CE)·Khmer (Udayadityavarman II)·🇰🇭 Battambang Province, Cambodia
About
About Phnom Banan — Battambang Hill Temple
Phnom Banan — Battambang Hill Temple in Battambang Province, Cambodia is a Angkor (11th c. CE) temple-complex attributed to Khmer (Udayadityavarman II). Hilltop 5-tower sandstone temple on 75 m hill with 358-step laterite stair. Angkor Wat influence predecessor with intact lintels Shiva Nataraja, 358 steps.
Why it mattersType-site for Khmer (Udayadityavarman II) temple architecture
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronological sequence refinement
- 02Iconography program
Theories
- 01Shaivite cult centre
- 02Hydraulic kingship model
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. 1050 CE
- Period
- Angkor (11th c. CE)
- Culture
- Khmer (Udayadityavarman II)
- Purpose
- Hilltop 5-tower sandstone temple on 75 m hill with 358-step laterite stair
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1050 CE
Initial construction
c. 1990 CE
UNESCO / EFEO restoration
On the ground
Structures & features
12.5400° N · 103.1400° E · 80 m · 4 mapped features
Phnom Banan — Battambang Hill Temple — Central Sanctuary Tower
towerCentral kalan or prang shrine
12.5402° N · 103.1401° EPhnom Banan — Battambang Hill Temple — Mandapa / Gopura Hall
mandapaEntrance mandapa or gopura
12.5398° N · 103.1402° EPhnom Banan — Battambang Hill Temple — Enclosure and Moat
enclosureOuter laterite enclosure and moat
12.5405° N · 103.1398° EPhnom Banan — Battambang Hill Temple — Subsidiary Shrine
shrineSmall subsidiary shrine
12.5396° N · 103.1399° E