Large Terrace Structure Unearthed in the Heart of the City Zone of Īśānapura: Could It Be the ‘Great Hall’ Described in the Book of Sui?

Recent archaeological excavations at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sambor Prei Kuk, identified as the ancient capital Īśānapura of the Chenla Kingdom, have uncovered a large terrace structure that may correspond to the 'Great Hall' described in the 7th-century Book of Sui. Radiocarbon dating places its construction between the mid-6th and mid-7th centuries, aligning with the period when Īśānapura flourished as a political hub before the rise of the Angkor Empire. The structure's unique configuration, situated within the city zone rather than the eastern temple area, suggests it served an administrative function. LiDAR analysis further revealed linear features extending eastward, indicating a possible larger administrative compound. These findings challenge previous assumptions about the site's urban layout and provide new insights into the political architecture of early Khmer civilization.

Ichita, S., Vitharong, C., & Menghong, C. (2025). Large Terrace Structure Unearthed in the Heart of the City Zone of Īśānapura: Could It Be the ‘Great Hall’ Described in the Book of Sui? Heritage, 8(7), 258. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070258