Wat Sai Phai

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Wat Sai Phai
Native Nameວັດໄຊຍະໄພ, វត្តសៃផៃ
Alternative nameUp Muang, Op Muang, Up Muang Se Xou, Up Muang Se Su
BA#L17002
CISARK#882
IK#343
SizeMedium
ConditionTuol
TypeTemple
Location
DistrictPhouvong
ProvinceAttapeu
CountryLaos
Coordinates14.76992, 106.89218
History
FoundedLate 7th - 8th Century
Builder(?)
Art StylePrei Khmeng, Kampong Preah
MaterialSandstone, Brick, Laterite



BA PRASATNAME NO..jpg
2.00
(one vote)


Site Size & Condition: Medium Tuol Wat Sai Phai (ວັດໄຊຍະໄພ - Pronounced: Wot Sai Pai)

Commonly known as Op Muang (or Up Muang) this extensive brick mound site is reportedly located on the left bank of the Su, or Xou, River some 2 kms from its confluence with the Kaman, southeast of the provincial capital. (1)

Discovered by French archaeologists in the early 20th-century this substantial-sized site apparently consists of at least 2 temple mounds showing brick fragments and numerous sandstone elements including doorframes, a decorative temple step and possible pedestals while 2 intact lintels were uncovered on site. A particularly spectacular and well-preserved one, in a Kampong Preah style but with the addition of a central Garuda figure, is said to demonstrate Cham influence and was transported (along with a section of colonette) to Wat Fang Daeng in Saysetha Town for safekeeping. A second lintel - categorised late-Prei Khmeng style by French archaeologists - has, however, sadly since disappeared. (2)

Traces of a laterite enclosure wall, some 50m square, are also reported with an east-west orientation and eastern entrance.

(1) The site appears to lie right on the boundary of Phouvong and Samakkhixay districts and our decision to opt for the former is unconfirmed.

(2) Photographs of both can be seen in the paper, Pre-Angkorian Communities in the Middle Mekong Valley, Michel Lorrillard, EFEO, Jan 2014.


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