The role of astronomy in the anomalous orientations of two khmer state-temples

TL;DR

This paper investigates how astronomical phenomena like solar zenith passages and lunar standstills influenced the unusual orientations of two Khmer temples, Koh Ker and Preah Khan of Kompong Svay, highlighting their cultural significance.

Contribution

It reveals the specific astronomical events linked to the temples' orientations, providing new insights into Khmer architectural and cultural practices.

Findings

Koh Ker aligns with the sun's zenith passages.

Preah Khan of Kompong Svay aligns with the lunar maximum standstill.

The orientations are intentionally connected to astronomical phenomena.

Abstract

Among the magnificent temple complexes built during the Khmer empire, two single out both for their distance from the Angkor heartland as well as for their anomalous, not cardinal, orientation: Koh Ker and Preah Khan of Kompong Svay. Their orientations are shown here to be connected with two relevant astronomical phenomena, namely the zenith passages of the sun and the rising of the Moon at the northern maximal standstill, respectively.