Rainwater
Rainwater fills the central cavity, ringed by small holes for offerings.
Foundation Stones
Beneath the central sanctuary of many Khmer temples lay a foundation deposit: a block of stone cut with a large central cavity and rings of smaller holes. When the temple was consecrated, the holes were filled with offerings such as gold leaf and precious stones, then sealed under the pedestal of the main image. The promise of gold and gems made these stones a target. Treasure hunters dug down through the floors of central shrines, some with explosives, and brought towers down for a few flakes of gold. Many deposit stones now lie broken or overturned in the rubble. These were photographed at temples across Cambodia.
See alsoPrasat Tro Moung → · Ta Kav Gate →
Broken
A broken stone in the rubble.
On Its Side
Turned on its side, its holes long empty.
Moss
Moss and fallen leaves around a stone left where it fell.
Incense
A stick of incense left in one of the holes.
The Plan
A flatter stone, its holes laid out in groups around a round centre.
Prasat Tro Moung, outside the West Gate of Angkor Thom, Siem Reap