Prang Srithep

Terrain

General Condition

Prang Si Thep has been restored to be in good condition. and is currently under the supervision of the Si Thep Historical Park.

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Pa Sak River, about 5 kilometers to the west, and the Hieng River. It is a tributary of the Pa Sak River. It is about 8 kilometers south of Si Thep city.

Geological conditions

Prang Si Thep is located in the ancient city of Si Thep. which is in the central highlands In general, there are complex mountain ranges. Positioned in a long line from north to south. starting from Loei, Phetchabun, Saraburi and the south of Nakhon Ratchasima There are continuous undulating hills alternating with high mountains. Important mountain ranges are Phetchabun Mountains In the east of Si Thep city

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Archaeological age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

Prang Si Thep is located in the ancient city of Si Thep. It is a religious site in Hinduism. Facing east in line with the two brothers prang. Set the age around the 16-17 Buddhist century, and there are also traces of attempts to convert it into a Buddhist site in Mahayana doctrine during the reign of Jayavarman VII because there are many stirrup architecture pieces found. (Si Thep Historical Park 4th Office of the Fine Arts, Lopburi, Fine Arts Department, MBA, 4) including evidence underground showing the use of this area since the Dvaravati period.

The ancient site of Prang Si Thep consists of the main castle, a rectangular building called Bannalai Gopura, a wall, a platform or a cross-shaped walkway, a Naga bridge, and a rectangular building that runs parallel to the Naga bridge.

The main castle is a brick castle in a square plan with more corners. It is located on the base of a two-tiered lotus flower made of laterite. The entrance door is on the east side. The remaining three sides are fake doors. The inside of the pseudo-gate is a niche or arch that enshrines an idol sculpture. Information from the villagers said that about 10 years ago, there was a figure of Lord Vishnu carved in wood about 70 centimeters high, located inside the prang. But now it has completely decayed (Ornuch Saengprachak, 1984, 4) The castle has no traces or pieces of architectural decoration. Previously, there was probably a wooden roof covering the front of the building because at the base of the lower floor cornice, there was a trace of a large round pillar hole. and a large number of clay roof tiles (Department of Fine Arts, 2007, 106)

Archaeological operation at Prang Si Thep Found evidence of the use of the area for many periods. It can be summarized as follows:

1. Buddhist century 12-16, Dvaravati period, found traces of buildings on the west side of The northern library was built with large bricks. It is assumed to be the base of the Dvaravati building. which were found together with ash clay, fire clay, charcoal fragments, animal bones, black rice, earthenware fragments, earthenware, earthenware, glass beads, similar characteristics to those found in archaeological sites in the Dvaravati period.

After this, there were traces of laterite buildings. At present, evidence remains in the northwest corner of the main castle. and a rectangular laterite building in front of the main castle square pool laterite It is on the southwest side of the main castle.

2. The 16th-17th Buddhist century, Khmer culture in the Klang-Bapuan period A laterite building was demolished. (mentioned in item 1) until only the base remains and build a Khmer-style castle or a new Prang Si Thep with the reclamation of the area surrounding the main castle and the attendant castles raised by about 50 centimeters; improvement of the rectangular laterite building in front of the main castle to protrude on both sides. The existing pool was added to the same level as the new reclamation soil. including the construction of a rectangular building that may be called the Northern Bannalai and the back of the south rises again

Antiques found during this period at Prang Si Thep include a sculpture depicting Shiva's four arms. Banteay Seri-Klang Khmer art form Age around the 16th Buddhist century. In addition, lintels were found in the Khmer art form of the Klang-Bapuan period. Set the age in the 16-17 Buddhist century, currently exhibited at the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum. Sukhothai and Chao Sam Phraya National Museum Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province (Department of Fine Arts, 2007, 109-115)

3. From the 17th century onwards, traces of the construction and repair of this religious place were found. but not yet finished For example, a jackfruit petal stirrup was found near the base of the prang. and the land was filled up again and again until it covered the pool. and various original building bases There are only two library houses that have been rebuilt on the same base. And there is a walkway in front of the former building on this side. It is assumed that it may be at the same time that Hindu idols were buried in the two brothers prang. This may represent the conversion of religious sites from Hinduism to Mahayana Buddhism, popularized in the reign of Jayavarman VII in the middle of the 18th Buddhist century, but it was not completed yet, there was a reason to be abandoned first.

Artifacts found in this cultural layer include sandstone sculptures depicting Thep Chambhala or Thao Kuween. god of wealth Found near the building parallel to the Naga Bridge outside the walls and the sandstone gatehouse in front of Gopur.