This week Sculpture Saturday presents a sculpture of King Jayavarman VII photographed in 2015 at the National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Material: Sandstone
Dimensions: H:137. 5 cm
Date: late XIIth – early XIIIth century
Provenance: Krol Romeas, Angkor Thom
(Siem Reap)
Collection: National Museum of Cambodia,
Phnom Penh
B.347 B.19.1 Ka.1703
King Jayavarman VII was one of the most important king’s in Khmer history. He was responsible for the construction of the Khmer capital city, Angor Thom, and the adjacent Ta Prohm temple in the late 12th century. Ta Prohm is one of the most photogenic and popular spots for tourists due to its unrepaired condition and trees that have grown around and through the buildings over the years.
Ta Prohm was the subject of my recent One Word Sunday – Old/Older/Oldest post.

I wanted to show more of the temple and huge tree growing out of it in this photo I recruited another tourist to take.

Thanks for visiting today!
Sculpture Saturday is a challenge hosted by Susan Kelly at No Fixed Plans.

Wow amazing tree. Looks like the feet of a dinosaur ( not that I have seen one in real life but as I imagine it)
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I believe the that enormous tree is a strangler fig tree. The part growing over the building are its roots that grow down to the soil from where the original plant attached to the original host. Weird!
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Spectacular John! I’ve heard such great things. You’re pictures are lovely💖💖
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He looks so serene.
I loved visiting Cambodia. I’ve only been to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Loved exploring both cities. Thanks for joining.
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That is a large tree!
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I think it is a strangler fig tree. These trees grow on other trees. The photo shows the roots that grow down into the ground. If humans were to suddenly disappear one day, nature would take over and obliterate evidence of our civilizations in the blink of an eye on a planetary time scale.
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I’d love to travel to Cambodia one day and visit this amazing temple. Thank you so much for sharing!
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My pleasure! It is fun to imagine what these structures were like when they were built.
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this was mine and many’s favourite of all the Angkor temples. He was an impressive King too, leading armies into battles despite having no arms!
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Ha ha! Good one, Andy.
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some great photos; I would like to visit the Ta Prohm Temple; how nice that they have kept it in its natural condition…
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No reason to spend the money to fix it up when dilapidation can be a tourist attraction.
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Khmer history is a subject that interests me more lately.
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The history of the Khmer and Southeast Asia is fascinating and confusing.
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Nice sculpture shots. I also have a photo of the armless King Jayavarman. Have a great Sunday, John.
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Thanks Leighton (resisting the urge to say Lignon). I remember your post on the National Museum. I have a few more photos I may share at some point. I hope your Sunday is going well too.
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Beautiful image of this sculpture in Cambodia.
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Thanks! It was fun learning a little of the history of the Khmer..
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