Angkor and the Khmer Civilization

An authoritative survey of Angkor and the Khmer civilization that incorporates revelations from new discoveries that are completely rewriting history

The ancient city of Angkor in Cambodia has fascinated scholars and visitors alike since its rediscovery in the mid-19th century. All are wonderstruck by the beauty and multiplicity of the sculptures that adorn its temples and structures, and are overwhelmed by its sheer size. There is nothing to equal it in the archaeological world.

A great deal was already known aboutthe history of Angkor and the brilliant Khmer civilization that built it thanks to pioneering work by archaeologists and scholars, but our knowledge has been revolutionized by cutting-edge technology. Airborne laser scanning (lidar) has revealed entire cities that were previously unknown and a complex urban landscape with highways and waterways, profoundly transforming our interpretations of the development and supposed decline of Angkor.

In this comprehensively updated edition of Angkor and the Khmer Civilization, respected archaeologist Michael D. Coe is joined by Damian Evans, who led this remarkable programme of scientific exploration, to present for the first time in book form the results and implications of these groundbreaking discoveries that are rewriting history.

'The best account of Angkor available in English … takes the reader on a panoramic tour of Cambodian history from earliest times to the latest finds'
Ben Kiernan, Author of The Pol Pot Regime

'An essential reference for both the layperson and the scholar'
John H. Stubbs, World Monuments Fund

Contents List

Preface • 1. Introduction • 2. The Setting • 3. Peoples and Languages • 4. The Khmer before History • 5. Winds of Change: The Early Kingdoms Period • 6. The Classic Angkor Period: From Kingdom to Empire • 7. The Life and Culture of Classic Angkor • 8. The Post-Classic Period: Decline and Transformation

About the Author

Michael D. Coe is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Curator Emeritus in the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University. His books include The Maya, Reading the Maya Glyphs, Mexico and The True History of Chocolate.

Damian Evans is founding Director of the University of Sydney’s Overseas Research Center at Siem Reap-Angkor, and a Research Fellow at the École Française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO).