This narrative draws on open-access sources and standard historical scholarship. The sources below provide verification for specific claims made in the narrative.
Primary Sources
UNESCO – Angkor World Heritage Site
Official UNESCO World Heritage designation for Angkor, documenting its historical significance and conservation status. UNESCO World Heritage Sites are designated based on international scholarly standards and expert evaluation. The site documentation confirms the park covers approximately 400 km² and preserves multiple Khmer capitals from the 9th–15th centuries.
Smarthistory – Angkor Art and Architecture
Educational art history resource created by art historians Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, providing peer-reviewed content in collaboration with major museums including the British Museum and Khan Academy. Articles document Angkor Wat's construction in the early 12th century under King Suryavarman II, the temple's dedication to Vishnu with Mount Meru cosmological design, the Bayon's distinctive 200+ face towers, and the precision stone construction techniques used throughout Angkor.
Damian Evans et al.: "A Comprehensive Archaeological Map of the World's Largest Preindustrial Settlement Complex at Angkor, Cambodia" (PNAS, 2007)
Peer-reviewed archaeological research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences documenting comprehensive mapping using LIDAR (laser mapping) technology and ground surveys. Multi-institutional collaboration between University of Sydney, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and École Française d'Extrême-Orient. The study documents that Greater Angkor's water management network covered over 1,000 km², making it the most extensive urban complex of the preindustrial world. The research reveals a vast, low-density settlement landscape with sophisticated hydraulic infrastructure including barays (reservoirs) and canal networks.
Geoarchaeological Research on Angkor's Decline
Peer-reviewed archaeological research examining environmental and infrastructural factors in Angkor's 14th-15th century decline. Interdisciplinary research combining archaeology, climate science, and historical analysis documents how land use intensity in Angkor's core declined progressively from the first decades of the 14th century, how drought and flood cycles stressed the hydraulic infrastructure, and how environmental pressures contributed to the city's eventual abandonment.
Additional Resources
Wikipedia Overview Articles
- Angkor Wat: Comprehensive overview with extensive bibliography
- Khmer Empire: Full chronological span with citations to academic sources
Visual Resources
- Smarthistory Video Tours: Video tours and visual analysis of Angkor temples
- Google Arts & Culture – Angkor: Virtual tours and high-resolution images