Phnom Da A
For associated archeological sites, see Angkor Borei
The Phnom Da A style is based upon a collection of 7 sculptures found in the Phnom Da and Angkor Borei area of modern-day Takeo Province. As with many aspects of ancient Khmer history, debate continues over their precise age. French archaeologist George Coedes assigned them an early 6th-century date - other historians a later date in the same century or even an early 7th-century provenance. The former would put them in the Funan period and the probable reign of King Rudravarman - at which time the site of Angkor Borei was the capital - while the latter date would place them into the transition period between Funan0 and Chenla. The latter time-frame corresponds to the earliest constructions at Sambor Prei Kuk and Thala Borivat, in which case Phnom Da A could only be considered a regional style, based on a certain specific locality. (As per the famous Thala Borivat lintels.)
Only foundations of brick temples and walls remain at Angkor Borei and with the possible exception of cave temples in Kampot province (e.g. Prasat Phnom Chhngok) no standing temples are known from this period. (Prasat Phnom Da itself dates from the 11th-century while Prasat Asram Moha Russei is assigned a late 6th-century date and grouped with similar sites at Hanchey and Sambor Prei Kuk. Several sites in Kandal's Kandal Stoeng District have also been dated to this period by virtue of sculpture style and/or inscriptions but again these are mound sites rather than standing structures.
The famous statues themselves are life-sized Buddhist and Hindu deities showing a strong Indian or Greco-Indian influence. This so-called Gandhara-style originates from the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent and was important in Gupta art and sculpture. Copies can be seen today in the Angkor Borei Village Museum while several of the originals can be seen in the National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh.
Krishna, Angkor Borei Museum
Linga from Angkor Borei of unknown date
Vishnu, also Angkor Borei
Prasat Phnom Chhnork (Ngok), Kampot
