Angkor and the Khmer civilization

Bol

The ancient city of Angkor in Cambodia has fascinated scholars and visitors alike since its rediscovery in the mid-19th century. A great deal was already known about the history of Angkor and the brilliant Khmer civilization that built it thanks to pioneering work by archaeologists and scholars, but our knowledge has now been completely revolutionized by cutting-edge technology. Airborne laser scanning (LiDAR) has revealed entire cities that were previously unknown and a complex urban landscape with highways and waterways, profoundly transforming our interpretations of the development and supposed decline of Angkor. In this comprehensive edition of Angkor and the Khmer Civilization, respected archaeologist Michael Coe is joined by Damian Evans, who led this remarkable programme of scientific exploration, to present for the first time in book form the results and implications of these ground-breaking discoveries that are rewriting history.

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The Classic-period kings ruled over the Khmer empire from 802AD for more than five centuries, and this volume examines the massive architectural achievements of this period, including the huge capital city of Angkor, with the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious structure. It also draws attention to the imperial road system that bound together the region's provincial centres. The gigantic hydraulic system, still a source of controversy, is believed by many to have provided the agricultural basis of Angkor's grandeur and power, and its nature and function are discussed here. The final chapter describes the post-Classical period that set the stage for the entry of the Khmer into the modern era.