Civilization Of Angkor

Product Description

A short history of the ancient civilization of Angkor home to the spectacular temple of Angkor Wat In the late sixteenth century a mythical encounter was reported on an elephant hunt in the dense jungle north of the Tonle Sap or Great Lake of central Cambodia King Satha of Cambodia & his retainers were beating a path through the undergrowth when they were halted by stone giants & then a massive wall The King the fable reported ordered 6000 men to bring down the wall thereby exposing the city of Angkor 'lost' for over a century Subsequent reports from Portuguese missionaries described its four gateways with bridges flanked by stone figures leading across a moat There were idols covered in gold inscriptions fountains canals & 'a temple with five towers called Angor sic' For four centuries this huge complex has inspired awe amongst visitors from all over the world but only now are its origins & history becoming clear This book begins with the progress of the prehistoric communities of the area & draws on the authors recent excavations to portray the rich & expansive chiefdoms that existed at the dawn of civilization It covers the origins of early states up to the establishment zenith & 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 70000 people