At Banteay Chhmar (បន្ទាយឆ្មារ), in Banteay Meanchey province, you can see rare bas-relief carvings of harpists—bearded sages playing arched harps similar to the Burmese saung gauk. These scenes, found on temple lintels and gateways, date from the late 12th to early 13th century (reign of Jayavarman VII) and show the harp as part of Khmer royal and ceremonial music. The Banteay Chhmar harpists highlight the importance of music in ancient Cambodian culture.
