| Abstract: |
Erstwhile Campā, now central and southern Vietnam, marks the easternmost extent of Hindu-Buddhist temple construction in mainland Southeast Asia. Comprising a group of coastal polities with shifting power-centres, Campā began to grow in prominence during the early centuries of the Common Era and continued to exert influence for more than a millennium. Her long and sinuous coastline bordered the South China Sea to the east, with mountain ranges separating the regions western limits from present-day Laos and Cambodia (Map). The Chinese and Đại Việts occupied territories beyond Campās often fluctuating northern margins. A strategic geographical location, distinct interactions. Sadly, the sophisticated architectonics and refined artistry of these fragile brick buildings have received limited attention from art and architectural historians. The vagaries of nature, neglect, and war have also caused much damage to these monuments. Fortunately, Henri Parmentiers architectural investigations and Charles Carpeauxs photographs at the dawn of the 20th century have preserved much that is no longer seen on the ground (Parmentier 1909 and 1918
MAFV 2005). These visual archives and the stylistic investigations of Philippe Stern (1942), Jean Boisselier (1963), and others serve as a springboard for future research in the art and architecture of Campā.
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