The pyramid-like hills near Tasik Chini have sparked interest in the legend of a lost civilisation.Lost city of Khmer empire?
2007/12/10
The New Straits Times (Malaysia)
PEKAN: The existence of seven pyramid-like hills near Tasik Chini has again sparked interest in the legend of a lost civilisation in the area that could date back to the 12th century.
While there is no proof that the hills are man-made, there is a possibility that it is part of a lost city or may at least shed some light on the mystery.
It is long believed that the ancient city could only be found in the depths of the lake. This is based on a theory that the area was inundated with water after the fall of the Khmer empire, of which the city was a part of in the 15th century.
Although many people have made claims of a sunken city, little effort has been made to unravel the mystery. Based on pieces of porcelain found in the area, the city could have been built when the Khmer empire was at the height of its power.
The Khmer empire was ruled, between 802 and 1432, by a succession of "god kings" and had its capital in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where the famed Angkor Wat temple complex stands.
According to a villager, the "pyramid" was more evident when one of the unique hills in Padang Kerbau was cleared by a plantation company recently.
"Before this, all the hills looked normal. However, the way they were 'positioned' is not natural and that is quite interesting," said Ahmad Najib Mohd Don of Kampung Melayu, Chini.
Ahmad Najib, 57 and his wife, Pauziyah Abdullah, 49, later drove their pick-up truck to the hills and found that the formations stood in a swampy area.
Although she was born in Kampung Melayu, Pauziyah said she never realised the peculiar shape of the hills as they were covered by vegetation.
"The hills are also inaccessible because of the swampy land which surrounds them."
The new development has excited archaeologist, Professor Datuk Dr Nik Hassan Shuhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman, who was known for his leading role in the expedition to locate the lost city in 1998.
"There's a possibility as we cannot say for sure its exact location. It can be in the lake or on land," said the senior research fellow at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia when contacted.
He said there was no conclusion during the two-week exploration nine years ago as the team had lacked funds.
"We managed to drain a small part of the lake but the compartment walls collapsed when we were about to clear a layer of mud on top of a rocky base."
While there is no proof that the hills are man-made, there is a possibility that it is part of a lost city or may at least shed some light on the mystery.
It is long believed that the ancient city could only be found in the depths of the lake. This is based on a theory that the area was inundated with water after the fall of the Khmer empire, of which the city was a part of in the 15th century.
Although many people have made claims of a sunken city, little effort has been made to unravel the mystery. Based on pieces of porcelain found in the area, the city could have been built when the Khmer empire was at the height of its power.
The Khmer empire was ruled, between 802 and 1432, by a succession of "god kings" and had its capital in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where the famed Angkor Wat temple complex stands.
According to a villager, the "pyramid" was more evident when one of the unique hills in Padang Kerbau was cleared by a plantation company recently.
"Before this, all the hills looked normal. However, the way they were 'positioned' is not natural and that is quite interesting," said Ahmad Najib Mohd Don of Kampung Melayu, Chini.
Ahmad Najib, 57 and his wife, Pauziyah Abdullah, 49, later drove their pick-up truck to the hills and found that the formations stood in a swampy area.
Although she was born in Kampung Melayu, Pauziyah said she never realised the peculiar shape of the hills as they were covered by vegetation.
"The hills are also inaccessible because of the swampy land which surrounds them."
The new development has excited archaeologist, Professor Datuk Dr Nik Hassan Shuhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman, who was known for his leading role in the expedition to locate the lost city in 1998.
"There's a possibility as we cannot say for sure its exact location. It can be in the lake or on land," said the senior research fellow at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia when contacted.
He said there was no conclusion during the two-week exploration nine years ago as the team had lacked funds.
"We managed to drain a small part of the lake but the compartment walls collapsed when we were about to clear a layer of mud on top of a rocky base."
14 comments:
No wonder, and this can be true, since the Khmer Empire was large, and extended to the current Thai-Malay border. If I can see more pictures of its architecture and art decoration, I will be able to tell for sure.
A Khmer student from RUFA.
there are two things i see similarity connected the dot between malaysia and cambodia. first, it is the word "kampong" use for name of location. it could be ancient khmer word left there by the empire since cambodia also use the word kampong before name of location. second, the news article said the hill is in the middle of the lake which i thought of angkor wat surround by moat; of which is typical of khmer architecture at that time. just a thought, hope it could be of help.
In Malay language, "Kompong" means village. In Khmer means along river?
Guess what? The Sultan of Bruni was Khmer Prince at the begining of his ancestors. See the look of men over there. How they get to become a Muslim, that was the story of 10 centuries ago.
To 9:52 am
In khmer ,kompong have the meaning also of a village,a village on the river.
Khmer empire was very strong ,how about khmer ah Hun Sen will finish the land to Vietnam what do you guys think?
khmer empire strong because khmer love each other and protect each other and our country interest. Khmer country fall because khmer start to gain personal interest over group welfware.
khmer unite, wake to your glory and take destiny into your own hand again by working together and driving out our enemies (those who work for their own beneifit and fall of Cambodia-crook politicians)
Oh damned, more theories?
That big mount looks more like a tomb for a Malaysian king or something.
And just because there are a few Khmer artifacts there, it doesn't mean anything. It could well be a gift or something from Cambodia that was offered to the Malaysian king long ago... .
Khmer in Hun Sen Regime mean Domb One eye Opend. Khmer in Sihanuok Regime mean Domb Mother Fuker King.
Pls check clearly, Kampong could be changed by meaning from 1 nation to an other but it should be the same root.... and the earth is not stable, it always be moved/movement due to some natural activities, Geological movement etc.. earth quke,sea quake tsunamis... it can be lifted up or sunk any times especicial with geo-condition of Malaysia.... I hope it may be true at that time while Malayu was part of khmer Empire...
Excellency Phd Bandit 7 Diamond star Oknha Achar Knoy-Advisor to Samdach Krom Chor
Khmer was once ruled -- now lost. So, take care what you have left --and don't fight each other for what your Khmer Empire saved for you.
As far as lost cities are concerned, it's all a matter of whether or not you want to find them. It's not just Kota Gelanggi or the Khmer city in Tasik Chini. Just as in other countries, there were many cities, kingdoms and civilizations in peninsular malaysia that could date back thousands of years. It all comes down to how badly you want to find them. Such an effort would require massive utilization of resources (money, expertise, logistics) for which our historical and political communities seem to have neither the means nor the interest. For those who are truly interested, I suggest a network of independent researchers with a common goal. Find evidence of such a city, other things will follow. A good place to look is along major rivers, especially where two or more rivers meet, and in hilly areas that have unnatural geomatric shapes. The cities are there, always have been, waiting to be found.Lembah Bujang an A-Famosa are not isolated cases. In fact, it is ridiculous to assume that these are the only buried cities in this country. I believe there are many in Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Pahang and Johor.
taken from Han Chey inscription: words of gratitude to king Bhavavarman II,king of chenla "mala malayu iva malayam raja...".it means "Mala Kings of Malayu'.
the very 1st king of khmer king was malay,,, note that
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