The Civilization of AngkorUniversity of California Press, 2001 - 192 pages In the late sixteenth century a mythical encounter was reported during an elephant hunt in the dense north of the Tonle Sap, or Great Lake of central Cambodia. King Satha of Cambodia and his retainers were beating a path through the undergrowth when they were halted by stone giants and a massive wall. The King, the fable reported, ordered six thousand men to clear away the forest overgrowth around the wall, thereby exposing the city of Angkor--"lost" for over a century. Subsequent reports from Portuguese missionaries described its five gateways, with bridges flanked by stone figures leading across a moat. There were idols covered in gold, inscriptions, fountains, canals, and a "temple with five towers, called Angor." For four centuries, this huge complex has inspired awe among visitors from all over the world, but only now are its origins and history becoming clear. This book begins with the development of the prehistoric communities of the area and draws on the author's recent excavations to portray the rich and expansive chiefdoms that existed at the dawn of civilization. It covers the origins of early states, up to the establishment, zenith, and decline of this extraordinary civilization, whose most impressive achievement was the construction of the gilded temple mausoleum of Angkor Wat in the twelfth century, allegedly by 70,000 people. Drawing on the latest research on prehistoric archaeology, epigraphy, and art history, Charles Higham has written a clear and concise history of this remarkable civilization. |
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ancestors Angkor Thom Angkor Wat Angkorian Bakheng Banteay Baphuon baray Bayon BEFEO brick bronze Buddha Cambodia capital centre century Chams Chinese civilization of Angkor Cœdès construction court delta described donated dyke dynasty east elephants endowed excavations foundation stela Funan gods gold golden gopura Hariharalaya Harshavarman Harshavarman II Indratataka Indravarman inscriptions Iron Age irrigation Ishanapura Ishanavarman Jayatataka Jayavarman II Jayavarman VII Jayaviravarman khlon Khmer kilometres king king's kingdom Kulen labour land laterite linga Lingapura Mebon Mekong River metres moat monument mratan officials palanquin parasols Phimai Phimeanakas Phnom Prasat Pre Rup Preah Khan Preah Ko Preah Vihear probably Rajendravarman reign of Jayavarman religious reservoir reveal rice fields ritual sacred sanctuary Sanskrit settlements Shiva shrines silver South-East Asia sruk statues stone Suryavarman Suryavarman II temple tion Tonle Sap trade Udayadityavarman Valley Vishnu vrah walls Western Baray workers Yashodharapura Yashodharatataka Yashovarman Zhou Daguan