Preah Khan, Cambodia
Copyright © Timothy Tye. Stock Photo for Sale
Preah Khan
Cambodia
Preah Khan is a row of 12 almost identical towers located to the east of the Royal Square of Angkor Thom. Six are on the north side of the road that runs from the square to Victory Gate, while another six are to the south. They are not exactly in one line - the two towers closest to the road are a slight distance further from the square than the other ten.
Preah Khan were built in the earth 13th century, during the reign of King Indravarman II. The name "Preah Khan" is a modern Khmer name meaning "Towers of Rope Dancers" because of a modern notion that the towers were linked by rope in some form of acrobatic performance - this is clearly inaccurate.
The 13th century Chinese ambassador Zhou Daguan mentioned these towers, but even his description should be regarded with suspicion. According to Zhou, the towers were used to imprison men who were in dispute between themselves. After a few days of incarceration, the men were released. The guilty party would inevitably have caught some sort of disease during his imprisonment.
