The killing caves of Phnom Sampeau are a Khmer Rouge (KR) execution site on Phnom Sampeau, a hill 7miles southwest of Battambang in western Cambodia. KR killed their victims on top of the cave at the rim of a daylight shaft or ceiling hole and threw the corpses into the cave. Men and women were placed in separate caves and clothes in another.[1] Phnom Sampeau (Sampeau Hill) has multiple caves that traditionally served as Buddhist temples. A large glass memorial in the cave next to the skulls and bones and a golden reclining Buddha mark the massacre. A memorial assembled from cyclone fencing and chicken wire contains human bones.[2] [3]
The caves are located on the Mountain of Phnom Sampeau, about mid-way up the mountain along a 250m (820feet) road. The mountain is of karstic limestone and features a group of temples. The approach is 12km (07miles) to the west of Battambang city on the road to Pailin. The mountain is home for a group of macaques, which feed on bananas left by pilgrims. A natural arch made of stalactites offers views of the deep canyon. The valley has vegetation of vines and is inhabited by bats.[4] [5]
A golden, reclining Buddha image appears in one cave. Skulls and bones are kept in a glass-covered cabinet next to the statue. Remnants of war artillery remain, oriented towards Phnom Krapau (Crocodile Mountain), the strategic KR location during the war. At the base point a chicken-wire memorial is present which houses other skeletons. Another feature seen is an incomplete Buddha carving, a 30feet image, carved partly into the rock face of the hill, with only the head of the Buddha exposed. Lack of funds prevented its completion.[2] [6]