The temple of Angkor Wat was much larger and more complex than previously¹ thought, University of Sydney archaeologists have discovered. The University of Sydney's Professor Roland Fletcher and Dr Damian Evans lead the Greater Angkor Project in Cambodia, a major international research collaboration² which is using airborne laser scanning (LiDAR) technology, ground-penetrating radar³ and targeted excavation⁴ to map the great pre-industrial temple.

 

 

The team has discovered that the Angkor Wat complex was far larger than expected, had more components⁵ than previously envisaged⁶, and was bounded on its south side by a unique and massive structure.

 

"This structure, which has dimensions of more than 1500m×600m, is the most striking discovery associated with Angkor Wat to date. Its function remains⁷ unknown and, as yet, it has no known equivalent in the Angkorian world," said Professor Fletcher, from the University's Department of Archaeology⁸.

 

The team also discovered Angkor Wat includes an entire ensemble⁹ of buried 'towers' built and demolished¹⁰ during the construction and initial use of the main temple, remains of what is thought might be a shrine¹¹ used during the construction period.

 

 

The areas surrounding Angkor Wat have long been assumed to be sacred precincts or 'temple-cities'. However, the research has revealed evidence of low-density residential¹² occupation in the region, including a grid¹³ of roads, ponds and mounds¹⁴, possibly used by people servicing the temple.

 

"This challenges our traditional understanding of the social hierarchy¹⁵ of the Angkor Wat community and shows that the temple precinct, bounded by moat and wall, may not have been exclusively the preserve of the wealthy or the priestly elite," said Dr Fletcher.

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