Kuk Preah Theat (Hanchey)
| Native Name | គុកព្រះធាតុ |
|---|---|
| Alternative name | Prasat Neang Khmau, Prasat Kuk Preah Theat, Prasat Kuk Hanchey, Kouk Preah Theat |
| BA# | C0306006 |
| CISARK# | 120 |
| IK# | 83.02 |
| Size | Medium |
| Condition | Intact |
| Type | Temple |
| Location | |
| Part of | Prasat Phnom Hanchey |
| Village | Hanchey |
| Commune | Hanchey |
| District | Kampong Siem |
| Province | Kampong Cham |
| Country | Cambodia |
| Coordinates | 12.16533, 105.52932 |
| History | |
| Founded | Late 6th Century |
| Builder | Bhavavarman I |
| Art Style | Thala Borivat |
| Material | Basalt (?) |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Deity | Shiva |
| Year/s Restored | 2008 |
Kuk Preah Theat (គុកព្រះធាតុ - Pronounced: Kok Preah Theat)
This unusual site lies close to the riverbank just north of Prasat Hanchey and consists of 1 ruined, and 1 intact, square shrine constructed using a grey volcanic stone. The material is said to be basalt, although we're not entirely convinced, but it is clearly the same stone used at Prasat Asram Moha Russei and these are the only 2 known sites to employ this material.
Although clearly dating to the same period, (generally considered to be the late 6th, Bhavavarman I era), the 2 temples are fundamentally different in design with Kuk Preah Theat being smaller in size and lacking either the distinctive inner cell - or garbhagrha - found at the Takeo site or any windows. The latter is of course a solitary tower while this site featured at least 2 towers and a possible enclosing wall.
The lintel, also in the volcanic stone, is somewhat similar in style to the 'cell shrine' at nearby Phnom Hanchey and while featuring the classic Thala Borivat makaras has a central arch divided into 2 smaller ones and perhaps reflects a transition stage between Thala Borivat and Sambor Prei Kuk styles.
The site was restored in 2008 and it was during the restoration work that the base of the second tower was uncovered. These small, grey shrines are highly reminiscent of the early 7th-century, Pallava-influenced, Hindu shrines constructed on Java's Dieng Plateau.
Map Location
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Foundations of 2nd shrine
Lintel in situ
Yoni inside tower
Face carvings on tower
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Pre restoration in 2006
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