Tomb Raiders
The Ta Prohm temple is often referred to as the Tomb Raiders temple because it was depicted in the movie Laura Croft: Tomb Raider.
The site sits down a wide path through a heavily forested area. Just as depicted in the movie, the temple really does have trees growing on top, around and through the various buildings and walls. I’m talking about large trees with massive roots tangling the rock walls.
Snaking Tree Roots
This root is a great example. It comes in through a wall, coils around some interior design pieces and then plunges through the floor. It’s called the coiled snake. First of all it is massive, but it really dose remind me of a huge coiled snake. We came upon it as we navigated through the halls inside one of the temple buildings.
Restoration Work
A great deal of the temple has been restored, or stabilized, but work is ongoing. The trees draped over the walls were the most interesting part for us.
The temple was ‘lost’ for centuries before being rediscovered in the 19th century. As restoration work continues, efforts are made not to disturb the trees that have entwined themselves into the structure. If you get to Cambodia, be sure to put the Tomb Raiders temple on your list.