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New discoveries redefine history of Angkor Wat

New discoveries redefine history of Angkor Wat

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The temple of Angkor Wat was much larger and more complex than previously thought, University of Sydney archaeologists have discovered.

The University of Sydney's Professor Roland Fletcher and Dr Damian Evans lead the Greater Angkor Project in Cambodia, a major international research collaboration which is using airborne laser scanning (LiDAR) technology, ground-penetrating radar and targeted excavation to map the great pre-industrial temple.

The landscape of Angkor Wat redefined – mysterious structure

The team has discovered that the Angkor Wat complex was far larger than expected, had more components than previously envisaged, and was bounded on its south side by a unique and massive structure.

"This structure, which has dimensions of more than 1500m×600m, is the most striking discovery associated with Angkor Wat to date. Its function remains unknown and, as yet, it has no known equivalent in the Angkorian world," said Professor Fletcher, from the University's Department of Archaeology.

The team also discovered Angkor Wat includes an entire ensemble of buried 'towers' built and demolished during the construction and initial use of the main temple, remains of what is thought might be a shrine used during the construction period.

Overview of Angkor Wat showing relationship between the buried ‘towers’ and the position of the main Angkor Wat temple

Overview of Angkor Wat showing relationship between the buried ‘towers’ and the position of the main Angkor Wat temple (by Sonnemann and image base courtesy of ETH Zurich).

Roads and homes hint at workers' role

The areas surrounding Angkor Wat have long been assumed to be sacred precincts or 'temple-cities'. However, the research has revealed evidence of low-density residential occupation in the region, including a grid of roads, ponds and mounds, possibly used by people servicing the temple.

"This challenges our traditional understanding of the social hierarchy of the Angkor Wat community and shows that the temple precinct, bounded by moat and wall, may not have been exclusively the preserve of the wealthy or the priestly elite," said Dr Fletcher.

Wall around Angkor Wat complex

Wall around Angkor Wat complex (David Brotherson, Antiquity)

Fortifications offer clues about Angkor's demise

The team has also discovered that Angkor Wat was fortified with wooden structures sometime late in its history. Dr Fletcher said the results reveal how Angkor Wat may have made its last attempt at defence.

"Angkor Wat is the first and only known example of an Angkorian temple being systematically modified for use in a defensive capacity," he said.

"The available evidence suggests it was a late event in the history of Angkor, either between AD 1297 and 1585, along with other defensive works around Angkor, or perhaps sometime between AD 1585 and the 1630s, representing a final attempt to defend Angkor against the growing influence of [neighbouring city] Ayutthaya. Either date makes the defences of Angkor Wat one of the last major constructions at Angkor and is perhaps indicative of its end."

The team's latest discoveries are published in this month's issue of the journal Antiquity.

Aerial view of Angkor Wat

Aerial view of Angkor Wat (public domain)

Explore the temples of Angkor, Cambodia with Google Maps

Featured image: Angkor Wat at sunset (Jonjon Pascua / Flickr)

By: April Holloway

Source: University of Sydney. "New discoveries redefine Angkor Wat's history." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 9 December 2015. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151209105216.htm

 

Comments

Could you expand on your statement about the age of Angkor

Angkor is much older than currently believed. My research indicates an age of at least 12,000 years and possibly very much more.

This very old age is consistent with my findings for the extreme age of intelligent life on Earth, upwards of one billion years. See my black2tell blog for my research. Mr. Black.

“This structure, which has dimensions of more than 1500m×600m, is the most striking discovery associated with Angkor Wat to date. Its function remains unknown and, as yet, it has no known equivalent in the Angkorian world.”

Or the rest of the known ancient world, or the modern world, if this is to be taken seriously.  1500m is (obviously) a kilometer-and-a-half, and even the short side of this beast would have been more than double the width of the great pyramid.  I wish they gave more details about it.  One would have to seriously question how, if Angkor Wat was actually constructed during the middle ages, such a massive structure could have since nearly vanished.

 
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April

April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan.

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