Angkor And The Khmer Civilization

The ancient city of Angkor has fascinated Westerners since its rediscovery in the mid-19th century. A great deal is now known about the brilliant Khmer civilization that flourished among the monsoon forests and rice paddies of mainland Southeast Asia, thanks to French scholars and modern archaeological techniques. The classic-period Khmer kings ruled from AD 802 for over five centuries, constructing architectural masterpieces like Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious structure. Numerous provincial centers linked by an extensive imperial road system extended across Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Khmer civilization did not disappear with the gradual abandonment of Angkor in the 14th century; it evolved through conversion to Buddhism, a shift of the capital to Phnom Penh, and a reorientation towards maritime trade. This book offers a concise yet complete history of Khmer culture from the Stone Age to the French Protectorate in 1863, enriched with maps, plans, drawings, and photographs, based on the latest archaeological research.