Le site de Koh Ker et le regne de Jayavarman IV/ Koh Ker and Jayavarman IV

by Chanratana Chen

Probably the most complete study on Koh Ker and the reign of Jayavarman IV.

Chanratanakohkersite

Type: paperback

Publisher: PAF (Presses Académiques Francophones)

Edition: Edition abrégée, 2015

Published: 2012

Author: Chanratana Chen

Pages: 596

ISBN: 978-3838189284

Language : French

The case of King Jayavarman IV leaving Angkor to establish his capital city some 120 km further to the east a Chok Gargyar (ancient name of Koh Ker) during twenty years (921941) is not unprecedented: Jayvarman II also switched the center of his power between several cities.

Can we speak of an architectural Koh Ker style’ — reflected at Prasat Kravan near Angkor or at Prasat Neang Khmau in Takeo Province –? Why did the Khmer sovereign built such a large complex of temples and palaces in an area that remains to these days scarcely populated? What was the reasons behind the haste to erect an entire walled city in the span of only two decades? Why did his successor, Rajendravarman, decided around 944 to move back to Angkor? Such are some crucial questions this important study attempts to clarify.

Tags: Koh Ker, Khmer Empire, Jayavarman IV, capital cities

About the Author

Chen Chanratana33

Chanratana Chen

Dr Chen Chanratana ចិន្ត ច័ន្ទរតនា (b. 9 Apr. 1980, Phnom Penh) is the founder and president of the Kerdomnel Khmer Foundation, a professor at the Faculty of Archeology, Royal University of Fine Arts, Phnom Penh, and a producer producer of educational and cultural programs for Southeast Asia Television (SEATV).

With a PhD in Archaeology and Art History from Sorbonne University, France, Officials of the General Secretariat of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, he is the Chairman of the Research Team of the Khmer Heritage Foundation (Kerdomanel), and a History professor at Paragon International University and The University of Cambodia. He also works with the General Secretariat of Cambodia’s National Assembly.

As an archaeologist, Chen Chanratana has particularly worked on the Koh Ker sites, northeast of Angkor, and the quest for Khmer capital cities of the pre-Angkorean era.

He is the son of drama professor, author and movie director Chen Neak, and Ms. Minh Yon, professor of poetry at Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.

Publications 

  • Le site de Koh Ker et le règne de Jayavarman IV, Histoire, art et archeologie, Presses academiques francophones, Germany, 2012 
  • រាជធានីកោះកេរ​និង​រាជ្យព្រះបាទជ័យវរ្ម័នទី៤, ប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រ សិល្បៈ និង​បុរាណវិទ្យា (Khmer version), 2020
  • [Editor] ប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រនៃប្រទេសកម្ពុជាចាប់ពីចុងសតវត្សរ៍ទី១៦ ដល់ដើមសតវត្សរ៍ទី១៨, Khmer version of Mak Phoeun’s Histoire du Cambodge de la fin du XVIe siècle au début du XVIIIe, Phnom Penh, 2023

Video Documentaries

  • Grand Opening of Cambodia National Assembly on the 7th July 2007
  • History construction process of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia
  • Documentary videos about Koh Ker