1. PHANOM WAN: ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY AND RESTORATION PROJECT.
Pongdhan Bandhom, Fine Arts Department Branch 6, Nakorn ratchasima, Thailand.

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Architectural Description
The plan of Prasat Phanom Wan is built alligned with the four cardinal direction. This architectural style has been popular since the 11th century AD. The temple faces east, this is typical of Khmer temples in Thailand. Of note, both the north and the east barays follow the same orientation as Phanom Wan.

- Principal sanctuary
Principle sanctuary of Phanom Wan consists of the important parts as base, corp principle and roof in the vertical and follow to the horizontal is main prang, vestibul and entrance hall. This building was enclosed by gallery constructed with sandstone and laterite.

- Base
This part was constructed with sand stone on laterite layer, 1 metre in height and without handiwork, except a roughtly carved at the lower parts of three porchs of the main prang.

- Corps principle
The most important part is the square room or garbhagrha where the sculpture of god was established. Most of windows still have red sandstone balaster, either true window or false ones were planned to be symetrical and was based on weight capasity from the upper. The lintel and pediment were collaped. However, one lintel is in place at the north porch. The style of art on these elements including colonettes and pilastres shown in Baphuon style which dates to about 11th century A.D.
The original stone floor inside central building may be similar to that of the vestibul During our excavations in the vestibul, we found blocks of sandstone were arranged in order below the earth and modern brick floor but most of them were disturbed. Each of doorframes has a hole for a woodden door. Moreover, some of them have inscription in both Khmer and Sanskrit languages.

Roof
Although the tower of main prang and porch were collaped they were still 9 metres high. Many of the blocks of sandstone from this part were in bad condition. We also found the lotus bud for peak tower but the antefix and other elements were not recovered. The roof of entrance hall and vestibul were still in placed. However, their position indicates that stones were moved out of their original places.

Small Prang
Located in the south-west area of central buliding, the small prang was built with red sandstone on a laterite base. It is open on only one side: the eastern side. The roof was collaped and unfortunatly at the corners of base appear holes for a woodden structure.

Brick Sanctuaries
Brick sanctuaries are located in the courtyard around central building. These ruins appear just as a base and a doorframe with sculpture pedestal. All buildings may relate to lintel which is kept at Phimai National Museum. It's style of art is dated in 10thcentury A.D.[Suksvasti 1998:8] However, the central building was constructed above some brick base.

Trace way
The map of 1907 by Lunet de Lajonquierre indicates the trace way in front of east gateway. The excavation in this area by archaeologist of Fine Arts Department found a block of laterites and brick 7 metres long. Tiles were also recovered during excavation.

Structural Decay
From the outside, a large sandstone building should be highly stable. However, the Thai-French team has noted problems of decay including:

1. Foundation faults
   These are an effect of building decay. The builders filled sand into foundation hole and placed laterite, either in blocks or uneven pieces beneath the first layer of sandstone. If it bears too heavy a load laterites can become crushed. Moreover, as a rule, wherever the load of the real walls is heaviest there is unstable laterite and sand fill to support it. In effect, there is nothing to prevent the wall from tilting and outward displacement which leads to the raising and dislodgment of the base.[Pichard 1972:15-16]

2. Materials and construction
   The sandstone is often set along a vertical grain of rock. [Chanbhosri 1990:5], and thus the heavy weight from upper stone is too great and they tilt and break. At Phanom Wan, many stones were reused ones and an initial joint side become a gap with bricks often used to fill in the gap.
   Inside the wall, they used wooden beams to relieve part of the stress from the weight of the stones. Though nothing remains now, it is likely the wood rotted away under tropical climate. This would have left a large gap which would have further weakened the walls in the area where greatest strength was required.[Pichard 1972 : 16-17].