Champa epigraphs have been found on cliff faces, architectural decorative elements, statue pedestals, and various metallic or terracotta utensils. However, the most vital and detailed texts were inscribed primarily on stone stelae. Stelae were typically erected before temple towers dedicated to Hindu deities or the Buddha, recording the construction or restoration of temples, as well as land donations and the assignment of temple caretakers. Inscribed in the names of kings, royal family members, or high-ranking officials, these texts provide invaluable insights into the social and religious life of the Champa Kingdom, as well as its relationships with neighboring states.

The dates recorded on these stelae serve as a critical foundation for establishing the construction periods of the temple towers and for inferring the ages of sculptural works linked to these architectural monuments.

Inscriptions pre-dating the 10^th century CE utilized Sanskrit written in the Brahmi script derivative. From the 10^th century onward, Old Cham gradually replaced Sanskrit on epigraphic stelae.