Terrain
mountainGeneral Condition
Ta Muen Prasat Group is located on the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range. which is the borderline between Thailand and Cambodia The general condition is in a dense forest, in the Huai Thap Than-Huai Samran Wildlife Sanctuary. and is a military controlled area, the ancient site has been restored.
Prasat Ta Muen Thom is located a short distance from Prasat Ta Muen. (By Cream) to the south-east about 1 kilometer and located about 700 meters from Prasat Ta Muean Tod to the southeast.
Height above mean sea level
215 metersWaterway
Chi River, Khlong Tamong, Khlong Okru, Lam Huai Sen
Geological conditions
geological conditions (Department of Mineral Resources 2010:16) is in the Phu Phan rock category (Kpp), the Korat rock group. Cretaceous period (66.4-140 million years ago), the stone is gray-white, pale yellow, white mixed with yellow-orange. Coarse to medium grain size bad sizing The grains of sand are quite square, dense, hard, showing layered and oblique layers, and rounded pebbles, gray-white, pale yellow, white and yellow-orange. Small to medium grain size continually resting on the pillars of the stone pillars.
Phu Phan rock group around Prasat Ta Muean Chong It is assumed that it was also used as a material for building the castle.
Archaeological Era
historical eraera/culture
Khmer periodArchaeological age
Buddhist century 12-16Types of archaeological sites
religious placearchaeological essence
Prasat Ta Moen Thom Built in the Hindu sect from the excavation of the Fine Arts Department in the year 1990-1991 The ancient site was excavated. Found that the castle was built on a sandstone mountain. Natural stone was used as part of the castle base. In addition, after peeling the floor inside the castle grounds to the natural stone, important evidence has been found regarding the useful life of this area as a sacred site in two Buddhist sects:around the 12th Buddhist century and around the 16th Buddhist century, that is, from The inscription was found in the middle of the courtyard on the northwest side of the main castle, named Prasat Ta Muen Thom Inscription 1 (Sor Ror. 13), Pallava script, Sanskrit language, aged around the 12th Buddhist century, with 2 lines of characters. talks about the principles of religion read only that “An act of deeds for the gods (Shiva) delivered to the gods in unity with the gods.” The inscription is missing due to the square hole drilling in the ancient archaeological site. Therefore, this inscription probably existed before the construction of the castle. The main idol of this temple is Swayambhu Valling. which is a natural stone block that has been partially polished in the meaning of the phallic spontaneous It should have come with such inscriptions. Is in the 12th Buddhist century. There is also a part that is assumed to be built in contemporary times, appearing on natural stone on the north side, there is a stone carving of an elephant. The west side of the main castle has natural stone carvings in the shape of a square. Drill a circle in the center There are stone carvings in lines from the inner quadrilateral to provide a way for water to flow out into the pits that have been extracted into deep recesses into the bedrock. This inscription looks like it is used instead of the earth. and tubular ginseng formula There are also traces of four holes around the earth that are used to mount the pillars on the roof. to designate as an area for ceremonies according to the beliefs of Brahmanism with a small summoned lingam enshrined in the middle of the earth that is drilled in a circle Then bathe according to the Sawai Nikaya ritual (Kongkaew Weeraprachak, 2008 :74-75).
From the text in the inscription that can be read and interpreted as a preliminary can be concluded that Prasat Ta Muen Thom has chosen the sacred mountain as a place of worship in the Hindu sect since the 12th Buddhist century and the castle was built in the 16th century, as evidence of the artistic development found at this castle. of the pattern and the development of sculpture in the art of Baphuon (This will be discussed later). This holy place will continue to be used. As appeared the names of various kings Both Jayavarman III (AD 1389-1420), King Rajendravarman (AD 1487-1511), King Suryavarman I (1545-1593), and one important thing is the appearance of "Phra Kamorteng Chagatasivabath", which may be the name of the image. It is possible to respect the president of this castle (Rungrot Thamrungruang, 2005:121-122)
However, although Prasat Ta Mean Thom is a castle built in Hinduism but some time This castle may have a Buddhist veneration. Because the image of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara four Korn was discovered. Set the age around the art of Bapuan - Angkor Wat (17th Buddhist century) (Supatradit Diskul, KMUTT, 2004 :122) Phra Watcharapanee Garuda and the Yom Song of the Buffalo, a sculpture found in the body of Jayavarman VII.
Ta Muen Thom Temple faces south towards Cambodia. The plan consists of the main castle built of sandstone located in the center of the temple facing south. Inside the endarala enshrines a figure of Konndi, the beast of Lord Shiva crouching facing the ghargaha chamber. In the middle of the ghat there is a natural stone carving of Swayambhu Valliga as the main sculpture of this religious place. And the northeast corner appears traces of the holy water channel or Soma Sutra, which continues outside the castle until outside the crooked balcony on this side. who had ever encountered the head of the
The Garbhagarha part is given importance by adding a base set with ornament pattern that is different from that of Hartala and Mondop, that is, consisting of a layer on the front of the board carved with the guard's pattern. Inverted lotus floor engraved with leaf pattern Next up, two layers of crystal ball lotuses are carved into a lotus face up. and a lotus wire layer carved into a lotus flower pattern Before reaching the wall of the elemental house with four petal flowers and portraits at different corners of the castle
on the north and in the northeast, there is an acropolis of sandstone facing south, just like the main castle. the western part and the east is home to rectangular buildings facing west and south respectively. All are surrounded by crooked terraces, with Gopura as the entrance at the center of the four crooked terraces. The current Kopura and the north porch have been demolished when the castle was wanted to be renovated in 1993, but a dispute between Cambodia and Thailand first arose when the Thai embassy was burned down. in Cambodia in the same year not able to assemble it back to the original position until the present Therefore, there are only three evidences left to study.
to the south, which was in front of the castle, outside the crooked terrace. There was a stairway going up. and made three tiers of laterite retaining walls, and two ponds covered with sandstone outside the crooked terrace on the north side.
To the west of the castle are traces of an ancient walkway, approximately 13.5 meters wide, and the current remaining length of about 70 meters along the north-south line. It looks like a walkway edged with laterite soil compacted in the middle. From what people say in the area There is still a long road extending for about 150 meters to Prasat Ta Muean Toj on the north side. but is a road compacted with soil with no dungeons at the edge As for the south side, the stairs are well constructed, with animals such as lions and elephants adorning the steps. (Currently unable to enter because it is an area where Cambodian soldiers are stationed) The ancient road on the west side, which is the Thai side, is slightly higher from the ground. The eastern part, which is the Cambodian area, is currently about 1-2 meters above the ground.
Related inscriptions :Prasat Ta Muen Thom inscription, digit 1, digit 2, digit 3, digit 4, digit 5, digit 6, digit of Prasat Ta Muen Toj
, Phawinee Rattanasereesuk