Kulen

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For associated archeological sites, see Mahendraparvata


Kulen style is named after the eponymous mountain or plateau lying some 50kms north of Siem Reap, which was the site of Jayavarman II's turn of the 9th-century capital Mahendraparvata. However, the category is generally extended to cover all sites associated with this king's lengthy reign including Banteay Prei Nokor and Hariharalaya, present-day Rolous. As such, earlier sites overlap with the Kampong Preah style and later sites - such as Rolous - the Preah Ko art category.

Brick temples gain in height during this period and the addition of laterite enclosing walls becomes a common feature. Sandstone is used for colonettes and lintels and stucco continues to decorate exterior walls. Some Cham influence is apparent in decoration and a diversity of styles probably reflects the king's geographical wanderings. Octagonal colonettes, introduced during the late Kampong Preah period, are the fashion and lintels display centrally placed kalas and outward-facing makaras.

Many Kulen sites suffered damage and extensive looting and most remaining lintels have been removed for safe-keeping so the best opportunities to see Kulen period reliefs outside of museums is probably at early sites at Rolous.


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