Abstract
Bayon temple, built in the latter half of the 12th century, is one representative temple of the Angkor monuments. To shed light on the foundation structure of the central towers that stand on the elevated terrace, archaeological excavation and boring tests were conducted. Based on these surveys, a unique foundation structure was revealed under the central towers. It was confirmed that there is no laterite or sandstone support structure directly beneath the upper structure, and that there is only compacted soil at a thickness of approximately 16 m above the natural sedimentary soil. On the other hand, a laterite masonry 6 m thick and 7–9 m wide was confirmed from around the compacted soil. In other words, the heavy load of the central towers is supported by compacted soil that is constrained from the sides by a laterite structure. In addition, the boring surveys provided new insights into the low structural property of the backfilled soil after the past excavation survey below the central tower and the extension process of the elevated terrace supporting the central towers. Delivered information about the foundation structure and material of central towers, including soil property, water table, water contents, and bearing capacity will be valuable for the future structural assessment of this temple.
Highlights
Bayon Temple was built as a state temple of the Angkor Empire in the center of the royal capital of Angkor Thom in the latter half of the 12th century by Jayavarman VII, the ruling king at the time
The Japanese Government Team for Safeguarding Angkor (JSA/JASA; Director General: Takeshi Nakagawa) commenced restoration work at Bayon Temple in 1994 and has undertaken the restoration of the northern library, which was at high risk of collapse, the southern library, and part of the outer gallery, to date
To shed light on the inside of the central terrace, and the foundation structure directly beneath the central group of towers, archaeological excavation work was conducted in the chamber of the central tower and the chamber of the 6th tower, which is a sub-tower on the west side, in 2008
Summary
Bayon Temple was built as a state temple of the Angkor Empire in the center of the royal capital of Angkor Thom in the latter half of the 12th century by Jayavarman VII, the ruling king at the time. The temple is doubly enclosed by two galleries, and at its center is a central terrace that is approximately 5.5 m high and has a cruciform ground plan (Figures 1 and 2). On the terrace stands a group of towers, which includes the central tower that rises to a height of 31 m from the floor of the terrace, eight sub-towers surrounding the central tower, and four annexed towers to the east of the central tower and sub-towers, in addition to six more independent towers. The Japanese Government Team for Safeguarding Angkor (JSA/JASA; Director General: Takeshi Nakagawa) commenced restoration work at Bayon Temple in 1994 and has undertaken the restoration of the northern library, which was at high risk of collapse, the southern library, and part of the outer gallery, to date. Aside from engaging in the restoration of these buildings, it has carried out surveys for evaluating the structural stability of the central terrace and the central group of towers
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