Brief Summary
Koh Ker: Ancient Lingapura archaeological site or Chok Gargyar was the capital of the Khmer Empire between 921 and 944 AD. Partially hidden in dense deciduous forest between the Dangrek and Kulen mountain ranges, on a gently sloping hill about 80 kilometers northeast of Angkor. , the archaeological site includes temples and shrines related to sculptures, inscriptions and murals, archaeological remains, and hydraulic installations.
Founded by King Jayavarman IV in 921 AD, Koh Ker was one of two rival capitals of the Khmer Empire that coexisted between 921 and 928 AD. (the other was Angkor) and the only capital until 944 AD, after which it became the political center of the empire returned to Angkor. Built in a single phase over an era of twenty-three years, the sacred city is said to have been designed based on ancient Indian conceptions of the universe. Koh Ker had distinctly unconventional urban and architectural features, which were basically the result of the mixture of King Jayavarman IV’s wonderful political ambition and the two remarkable inventions that helped materialize this ambition: the artistic expressions of Koh Ker’s taste and the structure that generated very giant monolithic stone blocks. Acting only as an interlude in Khmer history, these inventions had a profound and lasting influence on the urban structure and artistic expression of the region.
Criterion (ii): The archaeological site of Koh Ker is an exceptional example of the exchange of human values that resulted in the Koh Ker style, a sculptural expression characterized by bold, expressive imagery and a dynamic sense of movement resulting from the fusion of Indian cultures. Elements. Religious and artistic symbolism with concepts of local design and artistic craftsmanship. The Koh Ker style, formed during a brief twenty-three-year era in the tenth century, had a lasting influence on the artistic expression of the later era of the Khmer Empire. and other Southeast Asian countries.
Criterion (iv): The archaeological site of Koh Ker is a prototype of a new cityscape characterised by large-scale structures, through the use of colossal monolithic stone blocks for structures and sculptures. It marked the beginning of a phase of stone temples that lasted for centuries. They structured the Khmer Empire and have become a source of inspiration for the wonderful monuments of Angkor and Southeast Asia in the centuries that followed.
Integrity
All the attributes that make explicit the remarkable universal price of the property, adding temples and sanctuaries, archaeological remains and hydraulic structures, are included in the property. The layout and built environment of the entire former capital are evident. Many looted sculptures have been repatriated. Threats to attributes are under control.
Authenticity
The link between the attributes of the goods and their Outstanding Universal Value is expressed sincerely, and it can be said that the archaeological remains faithfully transmit their meaning; There are no conjectural reconstructions. The absence of extra modifications or reuses after its abandonment in the 15th century has given the property a maximum point of authenticity in terms of location and setting, bureaucracy and designs, fabrics and materials, as demonstrated by archaeological evidence. The geographical location of the ancient capital, the outline of the original urban plan and the archaeological remains of the temples, the royal palace, the hydraulic systems, sculptures, inscriptions and wall paintings are authentically preserved in situ. The heritage has the same length and is practically in the same condition as at the time of its documentation, back in the 19th century.
Protection and control requirements.
Koh Ker: The archaeological site of ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar is located through the Cultural Heritage Protection Act (1996). The Royal Decree on the Establishment of the Koh Ker Temple Site, NS/RKT/0504/070, 2004, as amended in 2020, defines property barriers, the buffer zone and the satellite zone beyond the buffer zone.
The National Preah Vihear Authority (NAPV) is the committed government authority that oversees the formulas and implementation of policies for the coverage and conservation of property, and to combat the illegal destruction, alteration, excavation, alienation or export of cultural property in Preah. Vihear and Preah Vihear. The technical groups of the NAPV, with the active participation of the community, adopt activities for the conservation and promotion of the properties according to a comprehensive plan of cultural control. The Preah Vihear International Coordinating Committee advises and monitors all NAPV activities. . Mechanisms for assessing the impact of equity have been incorporated into the existing control system. The control of hazards to the herbarium environment and cultural heritage is carried out by personnel with sufficiently good equipment in accordance with established procedures. Specific long-term expectations come with capacity building for staff.