The Roluos group, dating from the late ninth century, is the earliest site
of the 600 years Angkor Period that is open to visitors. The three temples
belonging to this important group have similar characteristics of architecture,
decoration, materials and construction methods, which combine to reveal the
beginning of the Classic Period'of Khmer art.
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BACKGROUND
Roluos is the site
of an ancient center of Khmer civilization known as Hariharalaya (the abode of
Hari-hara'). Some 70 years after Jayavarman II established his capital on Mount
Kulen in 802 inaugurating the Angkor Period, the king moved the king moved the
capital to Hariharalaya, Perhaps for a better source of food or for defence
purposed. He died at roluos in 850. It is generally believed that his successors
remained there until the capital was moved to Bakheng in 905.
Architecture
The buildings of the
Roluos Group are distinguished by tall square-shaped brick towers on pedestals.
The open to the east, with false doors on the other three sides. As is typical
of this period, brick was used for the towers and sandstone for carved areas
such as columns, lintels and decorative niches.
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A wall originally
enclosed the temples though only traces remain today. It was intersected on two
or more sides by an entry tower, an innovation of this period, of perhaps
slightly earlier. The early examples were square with a tiered upper portion.
The library also made also appearance at Roluos. It is a rectangular building
with a curved roof and pediments. A temple often has two libraries, one on each
side of the entry tower preceding the Central Sanctuary.
DECORATION
The characteristic
decorative features of the Roluos group are: a Kala (monster head), the Hindu
god Visnu on his mount the Garuda, female figures with abundant jewelry, and a
preponderance of guardians and Apsaras.
Columns are generally
octagonal and intricately adorned with delicate leaves. Decoration on the
lintels at Roluos is, according to some art historians, ' the most beautiful of
all Khmer art '
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