Figure 1: Sdok Kok Thom Sanctuary, Sa Kaeo province, ThailandSdok Kok Thom Sanctuary is located at Mu 3, Ban Nong Samet, Tambon Khok Sung, King Amphoe Khok Sung, Sa Kaeo province, near the Thai-Cambodian border. It is a stone monument constructed mainly of sandstone and laterite, being one of the large scale Khmer stone monuments outside the present Kingdom of Cambodia.
History of Discovery and Study In 1901, M. Etienne Aymonier, a French scholar, was the first who discovered and reported about Sdok Kok Thom sanctuary in “Le Cambodge. Tome II, Les provinces Siamoises”. His writing described the sanctuary called Sdok Kok Thom as “one of the most prominent stone buildings ever built by human”. The architectural characteristics of the monument, which was in the midst of the jungle at that time, still existed. The main sanctuary was still in an almost complete condition, the pediment depicting a deity lying above the face of Rahu, and the lintel depicting Indra on 3-headed elephant above the face of Rahu were still in their original positions on the eastern side. Moreover, a stone inscription, which was the latest discovery, was discovered and considered the most important inscription, even more important than any other inscriptions found in Cambodia. The inscription as mentioned was found in its original position on the stone base in the northeast corner of the gallery.
History of Discovery and Study In 1901, M. Etienne Aymonier, a French scholar, was the first who discovered and reported about Sdok Kok Thom sanctuary in “Le Cambodge. Tome II, Les provinces Siamoises”. His writing described the sanctuary called Sdok Kok Thom as “one of the most prominent stone buildings ever built by human”. The architectural characteristics of the monument, which was in the midst of the jungle at that time, still existed. The main sanctuary was still in an almost complete condition, the pediment depicting a deity lying above the face of Rahu, and the lintel depicting Indra on 3-headed elephant above the face of Rahu were still in their original positions on the eastern side. Moreover, a stone inscription, which was the latest discovery, was discovered and considered the most important inscription, even more important than any other inscriptions found in Cambodia. The inscription as mentioned was found in its original position on the stone base in the northeast corner of the gallery.
In 1920 Police Captain Luang Channikhom came to survey the site and found an important inscription at Prasat Sdok Kok Thom. The inscription is called Sdok Kok Thom inscription no. 2, a large stone inscription inscribed with ancient Khmer letters in Sanskrit and Khmer languages. Luang Channikhom recorded that …. The inscription was located at the front of the sanctuary on northern direction. It is rectangular, inscribed on all four sides. The size of the inscription is approximately 50 centimetres in width, 18 inches thick….
Since then until the time when the sanctuary has become a camp for Khmer refugees during wartime, the site was alternately occupied by army forces of the three-party Khmer. It was possible that treasure hunters took the opportunity of wartime confusion and negligence to carry out their illegal diggings at the main sanctuary which caused damage to the balance of the building. Some fallen stones from the monument were moved to be used for building bunkers; and beautiful carvings or images of deities as described in the past were lost. At the time when the fine Arts Department came to survey the site, the sanctuary had become a heap of fallen stones whose plan, form, and decorations were difficult to comprehend. Although the fine craftsmanship was still perceivable, the architectural style was unidentifiable. Moreover, souvenirs from the war, that is, the land mines, were scattered throughout the site to the area of the Barai.
Figure 2: Sdok Kok Thom before excavation and moving of fallen stonesIn 1935, The Fine Arts Department declared Prasat Sdok Kok Thom as National Monument. The first survey for conservation project was carried out by the 5th Regional Office of the Fine Arts Department in 1993. Land mines clearing and moving of fallen stones were carried out during 1996 - 2000, along with the restoration of Outer Eastern Gopura, although without a thorough study and systematic experimental reassembling of fallen stones.
In 2001, the conservation project implementation began, including experimental reassembling of all fallen stones, analysis of architectural characteristics, archaeological excavation for determination of size and area of the pond, and planning for restoration of the whole sanctuary. In the same year, excavation and restoration of the front causeway was completed. The work as planned in the project began in 2003, with the restoration of small buildings namely, the 2 Bannalai (libraries). In 2004, the Inner Eastern Gopura was restored. The restoration of the main sanctuary has begun since 2005 until the present day (2008), that the restoration of the spire has just completed and the restoration of other elements is being carried out.
Inscriptions : Sdok Kok Thom is very famous amongst scholars because of its relevant to 2 inscriptions which are highly significant in terms of Khmer historical study. The Sdok Kok Thom Inscription no.1, as recorded by the National Library, was brought by staff of the Office of Archaeology, Fine Arts Department and given to experts in ancient languages for reading and translation on 30th May, 1968. The inscription mentions the construction of a religious building circa 10th century as a sanctuary to enshrine Shiva Lingam. The date specified in the inscription was 937 AD., the reign of King Jayavarman IV.
Sdok Kok Thom Inscription no.2 is the inscription to honour King Udhayadhityavarman II on the occasion of the building (restoration) of the monument until completion in 1052 AD. The inscription also records history of religious civilization that clearly indicates that the kings of Cambodia were supporters and protectors of the religion, led by Brahmins who also acted as consultants and intermediaries between the Gods and the Kings. The inscription also records history of a Brahmin family who played important roles in the court of Cambodia that goes back to approximately 200 years, the time of the first ancestor in the reign of King Jayavarman II who combined the Land Chenla and the Water Chenla; and founded Angkor. Thus the inscription is an important reference in dating of Khmer history and Khmer art history from the foundation of Angkor until the reign of Udhayadhityavarman II.
Dating : from the date specified in the Sdok Kok Thom Inscription no.1, it is probable that Sdok Kok Thom sanctuary was built in the reign of King Jayavarman IV, Koh Ker style. On the other hand, according to Sdok Kok Thom Inscription no.2, the sanctuary is also believable to have been built, or reconstructed in the reign of King Udhayadhityavarman II, Baphuon style. These primary pieces of information from historical evidences are still debatable; thus, they are the questions that we have to look for further supportive reasons in order to find the answer.
Dating : from the date specified in the Sdok Kok Thom Inscription no.1, it is probable that Sdok Kok Thom sanctuary was built in the reign of King Jayavarman IV, Koh Ker style. On the other hand, according to Sdok Kok Thom Inscription no.2, the sanctuary is also believable to have been built, or reconstructed in the reign of King Udhayadhityavarman II, Baphuon style. These primary pieces of information from historical evidences are still debatable; thus, they are the questions that we have to look for further supportive reasons in order to find the answer.
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