Category:Pursat Province

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Map Keys
Large Prasat
Large Prasats
Arogyasala
Arogyasalas
Large Ruin
Large Ruins
Dharmasala
Dharmasalas
Medium Prasat
Medium Prasats
Ancient Bridge
Ancient Bridges
Medium Ruin
Medium Ruins
Ancient City
Ancient Cities
Medium Tuol
Medium Tuols
Ancient Kiln
Ancient Kilns
Prasat
Small Prasats
Ancient Quarry
Ancient Quarries
Small Ruin
Small Ruins
Ancient Reservoir
Ancient Reservoirs
Small Tuol
Small Tuols
Ancient Village
Ancient Villages
Museum
Museums
Carvings
Carvings
Depository
Depositories
Other Structures
Other Structures
Wat
Wats
Prehistoric
Prehistoric Sites
Neak Ta
Neak Ta's
Unknown
Unknown Sites
Unconfirmed
Unconfirmed Sites


Pursat Province, located between the important Angkorian region of Battambang to the northwest and Kampong Chhnang to the southeast which features several well-preserved early temples, is surprisingly poor in ancient sites. Large areas of the south of the province are mountainous and heavily forested while flood plains along the Tonle Sap in the northern reach probably deterred early settlement in that region. Correspondingly then the majority of the relatively small number of sites are restricted to a central band, notably on either side of what is today highway 5. A cluster of sites in Srae Sodok commune in the northern part of the province, which includes Wat Prasat Preah Theat and Prasat Kampaeng, are noticeably sited on higher ground.

Hemmed between marshlands and forest, Pursat likely served merely as part of the overland route from Battambang with small settlements and accompanying temple sites functioning as stop-off and/or supply sites on the long journey. Nonetheless, vestiges - several still standing - cover a wide timeframe with Preah Theat displaying Rajendravarman features and a substantial Jayavarman VII structure identified at Prasat Preah Khan (Pursat), (also known as Bakan), and possibly at Prasat Wat Daun On.

Pursat is often overlooked in terms of Angkorian vestiges but does possess several interesting sites.