SEAArch – The Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog

Typhoon Ketsana may have reached Cambodia, but it looks like the ancient Angkoran bridges have withstood both tests of time and nature.

Angkoran bridges withstood natural disasters
Cambodian Express News, 13 October 2009
Translated by Khmerization

The 10 bridges, constructed during the Angkorian times (12th century) in Phnom Srok district in Banteay Meanchey province, had remained intack after the floods caused by Typhoon Ketsana had receded. Among the 10 angkorianbridges, 4 bridges were notably unscathed by the destructive Typhoon Ketsana.

These are the 100m by 8m Spean Sreng (Ringworm Bridge) on the Krolanh River in Spean Sreng commune, Banteay Meanchey province. The 25m by 8m Spean Memay (Widow Bridge) in Phnom Dey and the 72m by 12m Spean Thom (Big Bridge), also in Phnom Dey commune. These 3 bridges had been filled up by soil during the Khmer Rouge regime. The fourth bridge is 25m by 8m Spean Kmeng (Young Bridge) which had 10 holes that can allow the water to flow faster, avoiding floods. Thesebridges were built from laterite, during the Angkorian times.

Tags: Angkor, bridges, laterite, Typhoon Ketsana

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