The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. XLIV, Part 1-2, 1956 - Khamkoo

12 John Blac1,
The entil'e ensemble of Court III it> best preserved of all
and it is possible, with little llifficmlty, to construct in the mind's
eye something of its former state and thereby get closer to the glory
of the past. The roofs have collapsed almost entirely but there ,is
ample. evidence that the gopura itself was immense anu beautiful,
cmciform in design, and supported by sqtuit'e stone pillars. The
tiled roofs were mounted by a ridge crest of pike heads. 'rhere is
ample evidenee still of brickwork bnilt-up in the tiered corbel ~nch
design in the telescopic enclosure buildings facing south.
Along the much shorter avenue separating Courts II and III
the causeway of pillars has an outer frame of a Naga balustrade on
either side. Much of this man-made setting has .fallen out of place,
thm1gh by no means beyond restoeation. 'l'be forest has taken over
and there is almost an archway oJ' vegetation over the avenues
separating gopnm II from Court III and between the latter and
Court II.
The entrance pavilion or gopma (K) of Court II has partly
collapsed due to age and weatherinf.!, though there is still ample
evidence of stone artistry on colmmettes, lintels and pediments, as
described on our \vay throngh the lower parts of the monument.
The two long halls or galleries (M & l\1') constructed al right angles
to the gopnra practically enclose courtyard IT, within which is the
main hall . (I) and the east and west libraries (L & L').
'I' he long or main hall forms the antechamber to the principal
sanctuary. It consists of three naves, divided by two rows of heavy
square stone pillars. Its roof was in three parts in relation to the
naves and t.he central section was ridged with pike-heads and ended
in gables with pediments. The roof has entirely collapsed and the
eight massive pillars stand upright stark and mute, a reminder not
only of the rlwages of time, but of one of the weaknesses in Khmer
design, the corbelled roof. Khmer architects, not knowing the true
arch design, found themselves handicapped in spanning wide openings,
althongh it shoulcl always he rem em be red thaL the magnificent
edifices of the Khmer were for the few. 'l'hey were not designed
for the great gatherings or congregation oJ' people assooiatecl with
the cathedrals of the West.