The Astonishing City of Angkor: Unraveling the Mysteries of Ancient Cambodia

TLDRAngkor Wat, a complex of stone temples in Cambodia, was part of a vast and sophisticated city that was once one of the largest in the world. Built by the greatest Khmer rulers, the city had a population of 80,000-90,000 people and a well-structured hierarchy. Recent radar images from space have revealed the true extent of the city, with thousands of temples and an intricate network of roads and canals. The discoveries confirm the accuracy of ancient accounts and showcase the remarkable architectural feats of the Khmer civilization.

Key insights

🏰Angkor Wat was just a small part of the largest and most sophisticated city in the world, built by the Khmer rulers.

🌴Recent radar images from space have uncovered thousands of previously unknown temples and an intricate network of roads and canals.

🗿The city had a population of 80,000-90,000 people and a well-structured hierarchy, ruled by the King who was considered a god.

🛣️The Khmer rulers, particularly Jayavarman VII, built a vast road network to connect the capital city with other regions and rest houses for pilgrims.

🔍The discoveries have revolutionized our understanding of the size and complexity of the Khmer civilization, showcasing their remarkable architectural feats.

Q&A

How big was the city of Angkor?

The city of Angkor had a population of 80,000-90,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in the world at that time.

Who built Angkor Wat?

Angkor Wat and the entire city of Angkor were built by the Khmer rulers, particularly Jayavarman VII.

What did recent radar images reveal?

Recent radar images from space have revealed thousands of previously unknown temples and an intricate network of roads and canals.

What was the role of the King in Angkor?

The King in Angkor was considered a god and ruled over a well-structured hierarchy and a population of 80,000-90,000 people.

What was the significance of the road network in Angkor?

The Khmer rulers, particularly Jayavarman VII, built a vast road network in Angkor to connect the capital city with other regions and also provide rest houses for pilgrims.

Timestamped Summary

00:10In 1860, a French naturalist stumbled across the massive complex of stone temples in the Cambodian jungle known as Angkor Wat.

01:35Radar images from space reveal that Angkor was much larger than originally imagined, with a vast city the size of London.

09:52Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, was just a small part of the larger city of Angkor, one of the largest and most sophisticated cities in the world.

14:48Recent discoveries and radar images have revolutionized our understanding of the size and complexity of the Khmer civilization in Angkor.

18:05The population of Angkor was estimated to be around 80,000-90,000 people, making it one of the largest cities at that time.

20:29The Khmer rulers, particularly Jayavarman VII, built an extensive road network in Angkor to connect the capital city with other regions and provide rest houses for pilgrims.

25:30NASA's radar images have revealed thousands of previously unknown temples and an intricate network of roads and canals in the Angkor region.

29:48The discoveries confirm the accuracy of ancient accounts and showcase the remarkable architectural feats of the Khmer civilization in Angkor.