Angkor Wat: The Ancient Mystery Of Cambodia’s Lost Capital | The City Of God Kings | Timeline

Key Concepts

Angkor Wat, Khmer Empire, Jayavarman II, Suryavarman II, Angkor Thom, Rural Metropolis, Water Management, Zhou Daguan, Mount Meru, Temple-Mountain, Deforestation, Thai Kingdom of Siam, Religious Transition (Hinduism to Buddhism).

Angkor Wat: Discovery and Initial Perceptions

In 1860, French naturalist Henri Mouhot stumbled upon Angkor Wat, a massive complex of stone temples in the Cambodian jungle. Initially, the builders and purpose of these temples were unknown. Mouhot's discovery sparked interest in the West, with explorers, photographers, and archaeologists eager to uncover the mysteries of this "vanished world." Mouhot himself died shortly after his discovery.

Deciphering the Khmer Civilization

Early explorers discovered intricate carvings on the temple walls, illustrating legends and religious beliefs. Inscriptions in ancient Cambodian and Sanskrit were crucial to understanding the Khmer civilization. The translation of Angkorian inscriptions by French scholar George Coedes revealed that Angkor was the capital of the Khmer people between the 9th and 15th centuries AD, ruled by 38 kings.

Zhou Daguan's Account: A Glimpse into Angkorian Life

A significant breakthrough came with the discovery of a journal by Zhou Daguan, a Chinese official who visited Angkor in 1296 AD. His diary described a large, developed city, but archaeologists initially treated his account with skepticism.

The Rise of Angkor: From Rice Fields to a Sacred Capital

For centuries, the Khmer people cultivated rice fields. In the 8th century, a leader named Jayavarman II established a new sacred capital, Angkor, in 802 AD. He was crowned a god-king, marking a turning point in Cambodian history. Over the next 500 years, his descendants built monuments to their glory, modeled on Mount Meru, the home of the Hindu gods.

French Colonial Influence and Reconstruction

During the French colonial period, significant efforts were made to reconstruct the temples. Angkor was compared to a combination of Versailles, Place de la Concorde, and the Louvre, surrounded by cathedrals.

Angkor Thom: The Holy City

Angkor Thom, the Holy City, is a walled city north of Angkor Wat, covering an area the size of Manhattan Island. Archaeologist Jacques Gaucher's excavations within Angkor Thom revealed a grid system of canals and roads, along with the sites of thousands of wooden houses.

The Royal Palace and the King's Role

Zhou Daguan's account describes the Royal Palace within Angkor Thom. Excavations have confirmed the existence of interconnecting quarters and large supporting columns. The king was seen as a god, with a social pyramid stretching down to the lowest peasant. Zhou Daguan described audiences with the king and the belief in a genie that appeared nightly to the sovereign.

Population and Social Structure

Sanskrit inscriptions suggest that a single temple, Ta Prohm, housed at least 12,000 people. Estimates suggest Angkor Thom had a population between 80,000 and 150,000 people, larger than London at the time. The society was hierarchical, with ministers, generals, astronomers, and other functionaries.

Space-Based Discoveries: Unveiling the Rural Metropolis

In 1994, NASA used radar to penetrate the vegetation around Angkor, revealing a vast city infrastructure covering an area the size of London. This confirmed that Angkor was a rural metropolis with an intricate network of roads and canals.

Outlying Temples and Infrastructure

Archaeologist Christoph Pottier used radar images to locate previously unknown temples, which served as centers of their own communities. These temples indicate a massive population, with villages connected to the royal capital by a complex network of roads. Jayavarman VII was known for his infrastructure projects, including roads and rest houses for pilgrims.

Population Estimates and Global Significance

Early research suggests that Angkor's metropolis could have had a population of a million people, making it one of the largest cities in the world between the 11th and 13th centuries.

Water Management: The Key to Angkor's Success

Angkor's success was attributed to the Khmer's ability to harness water. The city was built close to the Great Lake, which provided water and fish. Rice cultivation was essential, and successive kings ordered the clearing of jungle for rice production. Canals were crucial for irrigation and transportation.

Complex Water Systems and Potential Fragility

Jacques Gaucher's excavations revealed a complex system of interconnecting waterways, tanks, and canals. However, the system was fragile, and any variability in the environment or maintenance could have led to its failure.

Labor and Social Control

The construction of temples and water systems demanded colossal manpower. The Khmer people willingly contributed labor, believing the king was a god. Slave labor was also used, with severe punishments for those who tried to escape.

Economy and Trade

Angkor's economy was based on international trade, with a surplus of food for export. The Khmer traded with China, exporting ivory, kingfisher feathers, beans, and wax. Chinese settlers lived in Angkor, and Cambodian women played a significant role in trade.

Decline and Abandonment

By the end of the 13th century, cracks began to appear in the system, leading to the city's abandonment. Factors included war with the Thai kingdom of Siam, which sacked Angkor in 1431.

Other Contributing Factors

Other factors included the excesses of Jayavarman VII, who may have exhausted the state's resources. The transition from Hinduism to Buddhism may have led to a lack of belief in the king's divinity. Deforestation and the failure to maintain the water system also contributed to the decline.

Relocation and Rediscovery

The Khmer court re-established itself on the banks of the Mekong River. Angkor was abandoned and forgotten for 400 years until its rediscovery by Henri Mouhot in 1860.

Modern-Day Angkor

Today, Angkor is recognized as a wonder of the world. Archaeologists continue to make fresh discoveries, reimagining a major metropolis that dominated a thriving empire for over half a millennium.

Synthesis/Conclusion

Angkor Wat and the surrounding city of Angkor represent a remarkable achievement of the Khmer civilization. The city's sophisticated infrastructure, particularly its water management system, allowed it to thrive in a challenging environment. However, a combination of factors, including war, religious transition, environmental degradation, and potential over-reliance on a complex and fragile water system, led to its eventual decline and abandonment. The rediscovery of Angkor has provided valuable insights into the history, culture, and technological capabilities of the Khmer people, solidifying its place as one of the greatest cities the world has ever known.