The Civilization of AngkorUniversity of California Press, 2004 - 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. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
agricultural ancestors Angkor Angkor Wat authority baray brick bronze building built called Cambodia capital central centre century Chinese civilization cloth communities construction contained court delta described donated dynasty early east elephants endowed established evidence excavations fields followed foundation four further gods gold Harshavarman houses important Indravarman inscriptions involved Iron irrigation Jayavarman Khmer king king's kingdom known labour land later leaders linked lived located major meaning Mekong mention metres moat monument offerings officials origins palace period Phnom possible Prasat Preah probably production records reference region reign religious remains reservoir reveal rice rice fields ritual River royal rule sacred sanctuary Sanskrit seen settlements shrines silver social status stone suggested surrounded Suryavarman temple Thailand tion towers trade Valley villages Vishnu walls Western workers