Angkor Wat 189351 224984926 2008-07-11T09:09:51Z Henry Flower 44845 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/PaulStewart|PaulStewart]] ([[User talk:PaulStewart|talk]]) to last version by Sonalinandi [[Image:Angkor wat temple.jpg|thumb|300px|The main entrance to the temple proper, seen from the eastern end of the [[Architecture of Cambodia#Naga|Naga causeway]].]] '''Angkor Wat''' (or '''Angkor Vat''') ([[Khmer language|Khmer]]: អង្គរវត្ត), is a [[temple]] at [[Angkor]], [[Cambodia]], built for King [[Suryavarman II]] in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation—first [[Hindu]], dedicated to [[Vishnu]], then [[Buddhist]]. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of [[Khmer Empire|Khmer]] [[Cambodian architecture|architecture]]. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its [[Flag of Cambodia|national flag]], and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors. Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple [[architecture]]: the [[Architecture of Cambodia#Temple mountain|temple mountain]] and the later [[Architecture of Cambodia#Gallery|galleried temple]]. It is designed to represent [[Mount Meru]], home of the [[deva]]s in [[Hindu mythology]]: within a [[moat]] and an outer wall 3.6 km (2.2 miles) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a [[quincunx]] of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the [[architecture]], its extensive [[bas-relief]]s and for the numerous [[Architecture of Cambodia#Motifs|devatas]] (guardian spirits) adorning its walls. The modern name, Angkor Wat, in use by the 16th century,<ref>Higham, ''The Civilization of Angkor'' p. 2.</ref> means "City Temple": ''Angkor'' is a vernacular form of the word ''nokor'' which comes from the [[Sanskrit]] word ''nagara'' (capital), while ''[[wat]]'' is the [[Khmer language|Khmer]] word for temple. Prior to this time the temple was known as ''Preah Pisnulok'', after the posthumous title of its founder, [[Suryavarman II]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.autoriteapsara.org/en/angkor/temples_sites/temples/angkor_vat.html |title=Angkor Vat |accessdate=2008-04-27 |date=2004 |publisher=APSARA Authority}}</ref> ==History== [[Image:Locationtempleawat.png|frame|right|Angkor Wat is the southernmost temple of Angkor's main group of sites.]] [[Image:Angkor1866.jpg|thumb|280px|An 1866 photograph of Angkor Wat by [[Emile Gsell]]]] [[Image:Flag of Cambodia.svg|right|thumb|A source of great national pride, Ankor Wat has been depicted in every [[Flag of Cambodia|Cambodian national flag]] since 1863.]] Angkor Wat lies 5.5 km north of the modern town of [[Siem Reap]], and a short distance south and slightly east of the previous capital, which was centred on the [[Baphuon]]. It is in an area of Cambodia where there is an important group of ancient structures. It is the southernmost of Angkor's main sites. The initial design and construction of the temple took place in the first half of the 12th century, during the reign of [[Suryavarman II]] (ruled 1113 – c. 1150), Dedicated to [[Vishnu]], it was built as the king's state temple and capital city. As neither the foundation [[stela]] nor any contemporary inscriptions referring to the temple have been found, its original name is unknown, but it may have been known as ''Vrah Vishnulok'' after the presiding deity. Work seems to have ended on the king's death, leaving some of the [[bas-relief]] decoration unfinished.<ref name=Ohio>{{cite web |url= http://huntingtonarchive.osu.edu/seasia/angkor.html|title=Angkor Wat, 1113-1150 |accessdate=2008-04-27 |publisher=College of the Arts, The Ohio State University |work= The Huntington Archive of Buddhist and Related Art}}</ref>In 1177 Angkor was sacked by the [[Champa|Chams]], the traditional enemies of the Khmer. Thereafter the [[empire]] was restored by a new king, [[Jayavarman VII]], who established a new capital and state temple ([[Angkor Thom]] and the [[Bayon]] respectively) a few kilometres to the north. In the 14th or 15th century the temple was converted to [[Theravada Buddhist]] use, which continues to the present day. Angkor Wat is unusual among the Angkor temples in that although it was somewhat neglected after the 16th century it was never completely abandoned, its preservation being due in part to the fact that its moat also provided some protection from encroachment by the jungle.<ref>Glaize, ''The Monuments of the Angkor Group'' p. 59.</ref> One of the first [[Western world|Western]] visitors to the temple was [[Antonio da Magdalena]], a [[Portugal|Portuguese]] monk who visited in 1586 and said that it "is of such extraordinary construction that it is not possible to describe it with a pen, particularly since it is like no other building in the world. It has towers and decoration and all the refinements which the human genius can conceive of".<ref>Higham, ''The Civilization of Angkor'' pp. 1-2.</ref> However, the temple was popularised in the West only in the mid-19th century on the publication of [[Henri Mouhot]]'s travel notes. The [[France|French]] explorer wrote of it: <blockquote>"One of these temples—a rival to that of [[Solomon's Temple|Solomon]], and erected by some ancient [[Michelangelo]]—might take an honourable place beside our most beautiful buildings. It is grander than anything left to us by [[Ancient Greece|Greece]] or [[Ancient Rome|Rome]], and presents a sad contrast to the state of barbarism in which the nation is now plunged."<ref>Quoted in [http://www.cambodianview.com/documents/articles/Brief_Presentation.pdf Brief Presentation by Venerable Vodano Sophan Seng]</ref></blockquote> Mouhot, like other early Western visitors, was unable to believe that the Khmers could have built the temple, and mistakenly dated it to around the same era as Rome. The true history of Angkor Wat was pieced together only from stylistic and [[epigraphy|epigraphic]] evidence accumulated during the subsequent clearing and restoration work carried out across the whole Angkor site. Angkor Wat required considerable restoration in the 20th century, mainly the removal of accumulated earth and vegetation.<ref>Glaize p. 59.</ref> Work was interrupted by the civil war and [[Khmer Rouge]] control of the country during the 1970s and 1980s, but relatively little damage was done during this period other than the theft and destruction of mostly post-Angkorian statues.<ref>APSARA authority, [http://www.autoriteapsara.org/en/angkor/history/war.html The Modern Period: The war]</ref> The temple has become a symbol of Cambodia, and is a source of great national pride. A depiction of Angkor Wat has been a part of every [[Flag of Cambodia|Cambodian national flag]] since the introduction of the first version circa 1863.<ref>Flags of the World, [http://flagspot.net/flags/kh_hstry.html Cambodian Flag History]</ref> In [[2003 Phnom Penh riots|January 2003 riots]] erupted in [[Phnom Penh]] when a false rumour circulated that a [[Thailand|Thai]] soap opera actress had claimed that Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand.<ref>The Nation [[January 31]], [[2003]], [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php?clid=2&id=73303&usrsess= Editor Didn't Check Rumour]</ref> ==Architecture== ===Site and plan=== [[Image:Awatplan04colours.png|thumb|400px|A plan of Angkor Wat]] Angkor Wat, located at {{coor at dms|13|24|45|N|103|52|0|E|type:landmark}}, is a unique combination of the [[Architecture of Cambodia#Temple mountain|temple mountain]], the standard design for the empire's state temples, the later plan of concentric [[Architecture of Cambodia#Gallery|galleries]], and influences from [[Orissa]] and the [[Chola]] of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. The temple is a representation of [[Mount Meru]], the home of the gods: the central [[quincunx]] of towers symbolises the five peaks of the mountain, and the walls and moat the surrounding mountain ranges and ocean.<ref>Freeman and Jacques p. 48.</ref> Access to the upper areas of the temple was progressively more exclusive, with the laity being admitted only to the lowest level.<ref>Glaize p. 62.</ref> Unlike most Khmer temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west rather than the east. This has led many (including Glaize and [[George Coedès]]) to conclude that Suryavarman intended it to serve as his funerary temple.<ref>The diplomatic envoy Zhou Da Guan sent by Emperor [[Temur Khan]] to Angkor in 1295 reported that the head of state was buried in tower after death, and he referred to Angkor Wat as a mausoleum</ref> Further evidence for this view is provided by the [[bas-relief]]s, which proceed in a counter-clockwise direction—''[[Mandir|prasavya]]'' in Hindu terminology—as this is the reverse of the normal order. Rituals take place in reverse order during Brahminic funeral services.<ref>Glaize p. 59.</ref> The archaeologist [[Charles Higham (archaeologist)|Charles Higham]] also describes a container which may have been a funerary jar which was recovered from the central tower.<ref>Higham, ''The Civilization of Angkor'' p. 118.</ref> Freeman and Jacques, however, note that several other temples of Angkor depart from the typical eastern orientation, and suggest that Angkor Wat's alignment was due to its dedication to Vishnu, who was associated with the west.<ref>Freeman and Jacques p. 48.</ref> A further interpretation of Angkor Wat has been proposed by [[Eleanor Mannikka]]. Drawing on the temple's alignment and dimensions, and on the content and arrangement of the bas-reliefs, she argues that these indicate a claimed new era of peace under king [[Suryavarman II]]: "as the measurements of solar and lunar time cycles were built into the sacred space of Angkor Wat, this divine mandate to rule was anchored to consecrated chambers and corridors meant to perpetuate the king's power and to honor and placate the deities manifest in the heavens above."<ref>Mannikka, [http://huntingtonarchive.osu.edu/seasia/angkor.html Angkor Wat, 1113-1150]</ref> Mannikka's suggestions have been received with a mixture of interest and scepticism in academic circles.<ref>Higham, ''The Civilization of Angkor'' p. 118.</ref> She distances herself from the speculations of others, such as [[Graham Hancock]], that Angkor Wat is part of a representation of the constellation [[Draco (constellation)|Draco]].<ref>Transcript of [http://www.grahamhancock.com/horizon/horizon_script_2.htm Atlantis Reborn], broadcast [[BBC Two|BBC2]] [[November 4]], [[1999]].</ref> ===Style=== [[Image:Awatcornertower01.JPG|thumb|The north-west tower of the inner gallery at sunset]] Angkor Wat is the prime example of the classical style of [[Khmer architecture]]—the Angkor Wat style—to which it has given its name. By the 12th century Khmer architects had become skilled and confident in the use of [[sandstone]] (rather than [[brick]] or [[laterite]]) as the main building material. Most of the visible areas are of sandstone blocks, while laterite was used for the outer wall and for hidden structural parts. The binding agent used to join the blocks is yet to be identified, although natural [[resin]]s or [[slaked lime]] have been suggested.<ref>[http://ospiti.thunder.it/gacp German Apsara Conservation Project] Building Techniques, p. 5.</ref> Angkor Wat has drawn praise above all for the harmony of its design, which has been compared to the architecture of [[ancient Greece]] or [[ancient Rome|Rome]]. According to [[Maurice Glaize]], a mid-20th-century conservator of Angkor, the temple "attains a classic perfection by the restrained monumentality of its finely balanced elements and the precise arrangement of its proportions. It is a work of power, unity and style."<ref>Glaize p. 25.</ref> Architecturally, the elements characteristic of the style include: the [[Ogive|ogival]], redented towers shaped like [[Nelumbo nucifera|lotus]] buds; half-[[Architecture of Cambodia#Gallery|galleries]] to broaden passageways; axial galleries connecting enclosures; and the cruciform terraces which appear along the main axis of the temple. Typical decorative elements are [[Architecture of Cambodia#Apsaras and devatas|devatas (or apsaras)]], [[bas-relief]]s, and on [[pediment]]s extensive garlands and narrative scenes. The statuary of Angkor Wat is considered conservative, being more static and less graceful than earlier work.<ref>APSARA authority, [http://www.autoriteapsara.org/en/angkor/art/styles/angkorian/angkor_vat.html Angkor Vat Style]</ref> Other elements of the design have been destroyed by looting and the passage of time, including [[gilding|gilded]] [[stucco]] on the towers, gilding on some figures on the bas-reliefs, and wooden ceiling panels and doors.<ref>Freeman and Jacques p. 29.</ref> The Angkor Wat style was followed by that of the [[Bayon]] period, in which quality was often sacrificed to quantity.<ref>Freeman and Jacques, ''Ancient Angkor'' p. 31.</ref> Other temples in the style are [[Banteay Samré]], [[Thommanon]], [[Chao Say Tevoda]] and the early temples of [[Preah Pithu]] at [[Angkor]]; outside Angkor, [[Beng Mealea]] and parts of [[Phanom Rung historical park|Phanom Rung]] and [[Phimai historical park|Phimai]]. ===Features=== [[Image:Angkor-Wat-from-the-air.JPG|thumb|250px|Aerial view of Angkor Wat]] [[Image:Angor Wat NW Cnr.jpg|thumb|250px|The Temple viewed from the northwest]] ====Outer enclosure==== The outer wall, 1024 by 802 m and 4.5 m high, is surrounded by a 30 m apron of open ground and a moat 190 m wide. Access to the temple is by an earth bank to the east and a sandstone causeway to the west; the latter, the main entrance, is a later addition, possibly replacing a wooden bridge.<ref>Freeman and Jacques p. 49.</ref> There are [[Architecture of Cambodia#Gopura|gopuras]] at each of the [[cardinal point]]s; the western is much the largest and has three ruined towers. Glaize notes that this gopura both hides and echoes the form of the temple proper.<ref>Glaize p. 61.</ref> Under the southern tower is a statue of [[Vishnu]], known as ''Ta Reach'', which may originally have occupied the temple's central shrine.<ref>Freeman and Jacques p. 49.</ref> Galleries run between the towers and as far as two further entrances on either side of the gopura often referred to as "elephant gates", as they are large enough to admit those animals. These galleries have square pillars on the outer (west) side and a closed wall on the inner (east) side. The ceiling between the pillars is decorated with [[Sacred lotus|lotus]] rosettes; the west face of the wall with dancing figures; and the east face of the wall with balustered windows, dancing male figures on prancing animals, and [[Architecture of Cambodia#Apsaras and devatas|devatas]], including (south of the entrance) the only one in the temple to be showing her teeth. The outer wall encloses a space of 820,000 square metres (203 acres), which besides the temple proper was originally occupied by the city and, to the north of the temple, the royal palace. Like all secular buildings of Angkor, these were built of perishable materials rather than of stone, so nothing remains of them except the outlines of some of the streets.<ref>Freeman and Jacques p. 50.</ref> Most of the area is now covered by forest. A 350 m causeway connects the western gopura to the temple proper, with [[Architecture of Cambodia#Naga|naga]] balustrades and six sets of steps leading down to the city on either side. Each side also features a [[Architecture of Cambodia#Library|library]] with entrances at each cardinal point, in front of the third set of stairs from the entrance, and a pond between the library and the temple itself. The ponds are later additions to the design, as is the cruciform terrace guarded by lions connecting the causeway to the central structure.<ref>Freeman and Jacques p. 50.</ref> ====Central structure==== [[Image:Dsc04092.jpg|thumb|250px|This model of Angkor Wat shows intact the half-galleries of the lower level and towers at the corners of the second-level galleries.]] The temple stands on a terrace raised higher than the city. It is made of three rectangular [[Architecture of Cambodia#Gallery|galleries]] rising to a central tower, each level higher than the last. Mannikka interprets these galleries as being dedicated to the king, [[Brahma]], the moon, and [[Vishnu]].<ref name=Ohio/> Each gallery has a [[gopura]] at each of the points, and the two inner galleries each have towers at their corners, forming a [[Architecture of Cambodia#Quincunx|quincunx]] with the central tower. Because the temple faces west, the features are all set back towards the east, leaving more space to be filled in each enclosure and gallery on the west side; for the same reason the west-facing steps are shallower than those on the other sides. The outer gallery measures 187 by 215 m, with pavilions rather than towers at the corners. The gallery is open to the outside of the temple, with columned half-galleries extending and buttressing the structure. Connecting the outer gallery to the second enclosure on the west side is a cruciform cloister called ''Preah Poan'' (the "Hall of a Thousand Buddhas"). [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] images were left in the cloister by pilgrims over the centuries, although most have now been removed. This area has many inscriptions relating the good deeds of pilgrims, most written in [[Khmer language|Khmer]] but others in [[Burmese language|Burmese]] and [[Japanese language|Japanese]]. The four small courtyards marked out by the cloister may originally have been filled with water.<ref>Glaize p. 63.</ref> North and south of the cloister are [[Architecture of Cambodia#Library|libraries]]. Beyond, the second and inner galleries are connected to each other and to two flanking libraries by another cruciform terrace, again a later addition. From the second level upwards, [[Architecture of Cambodia#Apsaras and devatas|devatas]] abound on the walls, singly or in groups of up to four. The second-level enclosure is 100 by 115 m, and may originally have been flooded to represent the ocean around [[Mount Meru]].<ref>Ray, ''Lonely Planet guide to Cambodia'' p. 195.</ref> Three sets of steps on each side lead up to the corner towers and gopuras of the inner gallery. The very steep stairways represent the difficulty of ascending to the kingdom of the gods.<ref>Ray p. 199.</ref> This inner gallery, called the ''Bakan'', is a 60 m square with axial galleries connecting each gopura with the central shrine, and subsidiary shrines located below the corner towers. The roofings of the galleries are decorated with the motif of the body of a snake ending in the heads of [[lion]]s or [[garuda]]s. Carved [[Architecture of Cambodia#Lintels and pediments|lintels and pediments]] decorate the entrances to the galleries and to the shrines. The tower above the central shrine rises 43 m to a height of 65 m above the ground; unlike those of previous temple mountains, the central tower is raised above the surrounding four.<ref>Briggs p. 199.</ref> The shrine itself, originally occupied by a statue of Vishnu and open on each side, was walled in when the temple was converted to [[Theravada Buddhism]], the new walls featuring standing Buddhas. In 1934, the conservator George Trouvé excavated the pit beneath the central shrine: filled with sand and water it had already been robbed of its treasure, but he did find a sacred foundation deposit of [[gold leaf]] two metres above ground level.<ref>Glaize p. 65.</ref> ====Decoration==== [[Image:Awatoceanofmilk01.JPG|250px|thumb|The bas-relief of the [[Samudra manthan|Churning of the Sea of Milk]] shows [[Vishnu]] in the centre, his turtle [[avatar]] [[Kurma]] below, [[asura]]s and [[deva (Hinduism)|deva]]s to left and right, and [[apsaras]] and [[Indra]] above.]] Integrated with the architecture of the building, and one of the causes for its fame is Angkor Wat's extensive decoration, which predominantly takes the form of [[bas-relief]] friezes. The inner walls of the outer gallery bear a series of large-scale scenes mainly depicting episodes from the Hindu epics the [[Ramayana]] and the [[Mahabharata]]. Higham has called these, "the greatest known linear arrangement of stone carving".<ref>Higham, ''Early Cultures of Mainland Southeast Asia'' p. 318.</ref> From the north-west corner anti-clockwise, the western gallery shows the Battle of Lanka (from the Ramayana, in which [[Rama]] defeats [[Ravana]]) and the [[Kurukshetra War|Battle of Kurukshetra]] (from the Mahabharata, showing the mutual annihilation of the [[Kaurava]] and [[Pandava]] clans). On the southern gallery follow the only historical scene, a procession of [[Suryavarman II]], then the 32 [[hell]]s and 37 [[heaven]]s of Hindu mythology. Glaize writes of; <blockquote>"... those unfortunate souls who are to be thrown down to hell to suffer a refined cruelty which, at times, seems to be a little disproportionate to the severity of the crimes committed. So it is that people who have damaged others' property have their bones broken, that the glutton is cleaved in two, that rice thieves are afflicted with enormous bellies of hot iron, that those who picked the flowers in the garden of [[Shiva]] have their heads pierced with nails, and thieves are exposed to cold discomfort."<ref>Glaize p. 68.</ref></blockquote> [[Image:Awatdevatasupperlevel01.JPG|thumb|200px|left|[[Devatas]] are characteristic of the Angkor Wat style.]] On the eastern gallery is one of the most celebrated scenes, the [[Kurma|Churning of the Sea of Milk]], showing 92<ref>Glaize</ref> [[asura]]s and 88 [[deva (Hinduism)|deva]]s using the serpent [[Vasuki]] to churn the sea under Vishnu's direction (Mannikka counts only 91 asuras, and explains the asymmetrical numbers as representing the number of days from the [[winter solstice]] to the [[spring equinox]], and from the equinox to the summer [[solstice]]).<ref>Described in Michael Buckley, [http://www.veloasia.com/library/buckley/churning_milk.html The Churning of the Ocean of Milk]</ref> It is followed by Vishnu defeating [[asura]]s (a 16th-century addition). The northern gallery shows Krishna's victory over [[Banasura|Bana]] (where according to Glaize, "The workmanship is at its worst"<ref>Glaize p. 69.</ref>) and a battle between the Hindu gods and asuras. The north-west and south-west corner pavilions both feature much smaller-scale scenes, some unidentified but most from the Ramayana or the life of [[Krishna]]. ==Angkor Wat today== [[Image:angkor-wat-central.jpg|thumb|250px|This model of Angkor Wat is designed to give tourists an overview of the site. In the foreground is depicted the cruciform terrace which lies in front of the central structure.]] Since the 1990s, Angkor Wat has seen a resumption of conservation efforts and a massive increase in tourism. The temple is part of the Angkor [[World Heritage Site]], established in 1992, which has provided some funding and has encouraged the Cambodian government to protect the site.<ref>Hing Thoraxy, [http://www.lideekhmer.org.kh/publication_roundtable5.htm Achievement of "APSARA"]</ref> The [[German Apsara Conservation Project]] (GACP) is working to protect the [[Architecture of Cambodia#Apsaras and devatas|devatas]] and other bas-reliefs which decorate the temple from damage. The organisation's survey found that around 20% of the devatas were in very poor condition, mainly because of natural erosion and deterioration of the stone but in part also due to earlier restoration efforts.<ref>[http://ospiti.thunder.it/gacp German Apsara Conservation Project], Conservation, Risk Map, p. 2.</ref> Other work involves the repair of collapsed sections of the structure, and prevention of further collapse: the west facade of the upper level, for example, has been buttressed by scaffolding since 2002,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.autoriteapsara.org/en/apsara/about_apsara/publication/yashodhara/yashodhara_6.html |title=Infrastructures in Angkor Park |accessdate=2008-04-25 |work=Yashodhara no. 6: January - June 2002 |publisher=APSARA Authority}}</ref> while a Japanese team completed restoration of the north library of the outer enclosure in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.autoriteapsara.org/en/apsara/about_apsara/news/angkorvat_ceremony.html |title=The Completion of the Restoration Work of the Northern Library of Angkor Wat |accessdate=2008-04-25 |date=June 3, 2005 |work= |publisher=APSARA Authority}}</ref> [[World Monuments Fund]] began work on the Churning of the Sea of Milk Gallery in 2008. Angkor Wat has become a major tourist destination. In 2004 and 2005, government figures suggest that, respectively, 561,000 and 677,000 foreign visitors arrived in Siem Reap province, approximately 50% of all foreign tourists in Cambodia for both years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tourismcambodia.com/Statistics/index.asp?Year=2005 |title=Executive Summary from Jan-Dec 2005 |accessdate=2008-04-25 |work=Tourism of Cambodia |publisher= Statistics & Tourism Information Department, Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia}}</ref> The influx of tourists has so far caused relatively little damage, other than some [[graffiti]]; ropes and wooden steps have been introduced to protect the bas-reliefs and floors, respectively. Tourism has also provided some additional funds for maintenance—as of 2000 approximately 28% of ticket revenues across the whole [[Angkor]] site was spent on the temples—although most work is carried out by foreign government-sponsored teams rather than by the Cambodian authorities.<ref>Tales of Asia, [http://www.talesofasia.com/cambodia-interviews-AC.htm Preserving Angkor: Interview with Ang Choulean (October 13, 2000)]</ref> <br clear=all/> ==Notes== {{reflist|2}} ==See also== * [[Khmer sculpture]] ==References== *BBC Horizon ([[4 November]] [[1999]]). [http://www.grahamhancock.com/horizon/horizon_script_2.htm Atlantis Reborn (script)]. Broadcast [[BBC Two|BBC2]] [[November 4]], [[1999]], retrieved [[25 July]] [[2005]]. *Briggs, Lawrence Robert (1951, reprinted 1999). ''The Ancient Khmer Empire''. White Lotus. ISBN 974-8434-93-1. *Buckley, Michael (1998). ''Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos Handbook''. Avalon Travel Publications. Online excerpt [http://www.veloasia.com/library/buckley/churning_milk.html The Churning of the Ocean of Milk] retrieved [[25 July]] [[2005]]. *Freeman, Michael and Jacques, Claude (1999). ''Ancient Angkor''. River Books. ISBN 0-8348-0426-3. *Glaize, Maurice (2003 edition of an English translation of the 1993 French fourth edition). [http://www.theangkorguide.com/text/part-two/angkorwat-to-angkorthom/angkorwat.htm The Monuments of the Angkor Group]. Retrieved [[14 July]] [[2005]]. *Higham, Charles (2001). ''The Civilization of Angkor''. Phoenix. ISBN 1-84212-584-2. *Higham, Charles (2003). ''Early Cultures of Mainland Southeast Asia''. Art Media Resources. ISBN 1-58886-028-0. *Hing Thoraxy. [http://www.lideekhmer.org.kh/publication_roundtable5.htm Achievement of "APSARA": Problems and Resolutions in the Management of the Angkor Area] Retrieved [[26 July]] [[2005]]. *Ray, Nick (2002). ''Lonely Planet guide to Cambodia'' (4th edition). ISBN 1-74059-111-9. *University of Applied Sciences Cologne. [http://ospiti.thunder.it/gacp/ German Apsara Conservation Project] Retrieved [[21 June]] [[2005]]. ==External links== {{commonscat|Angkor Wat}} * [http://eobglossary.gsfc.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/Images/angkor_wat_IKO_2004103_lrg.jpg High-resolution NASA satellite photograph] * [http://web.mac.com/davidmaccartney Angkor] History, maps & photos * [http://archive.cyark.org/Angkor-Angkor-Wat-map.php Angkor Wat Digital Media Archive (photos, laser scans, panoramas)] * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6945574.stm BBC: Map reveals ancient urban sprawl] *[http://www.threeland.com/cambodia-travel/Angkor-Wat-Thom.htm Angkor highlights] * [http://www.socher.org/gallery2/v/Cambodia2006/SiemReapandAngkorArea/1AngkorWat/ 94 photos of Angkor Wat and 600 of surrounding temples] * [http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world/readfile?fk_files=98878&pageno=41 Angkor-Vat, Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition ] * [http://www.theangkorguide.com/ Guide to the Angkor Monuments - English translation of Maurice Glaize's 1944 guide ] {{Template group |list = {{Angkorian sites}} {{SiemReapProvince}} }} {{featured article}} [[Category:Archaeological sites in Cambodia]] [[Category:Archaeoastronomy]] [[Category:Hindu temples in Cambodia]] [[Category:Buddhist temples in Cambodia]] [[Category:Visitor attractions in Cambodia]] [[Category:1150s architecture]] [[Category:Buddhist pilgrimage]] [[Category:Siem Reap Province]] {{Link FA|zh}} {{Link FA|km}} [[ar:أنغكور وات]] [[bn:অ্যাংকর ভাট]] [[bs:Angkor Vat]] [[ca:Angkor Vat]] [[cs:Angkor Wat]] [[da:Angkor Wat]] [[de:Angkor Wat]] [[et:Angkor Wat]] [[es:Angkor Wat]] [[eo:Angkor Vat]] [[eu:Angkor Wat]] [[fr:Angkor Vat]] [[gl:Angkor Wat]] [[ko:앙코르 와트]] [[hi:अंगकोर वाट]] [[hr:Angkor Wat]] [[io:Angkor Wat]] [[id:Angkor Wat]] [[it:Angkor Wat]] [[he:אנגקור ואט]] [[lv:Angkorvata]] [[lt:Ankor Vatas]] [[hu:Angkorvat]] [[mr:आंग्कोर वाट]] [[ms:Angkor Wat]] [[nl:Angkor Wat (tempel)]] [[new:अंकोरवाट]] [[ja:アンコール・ワット]] [[no:Angkor Vat]] [[nn:Angkor Vat]] [[km:ប្រាសាទអង្គរវត្ត]] [[pl:Angkor Wat]] [[pt:Angkor Wat]] [[ru:Ангкор-Ват]] [[sa:अंगकोर वाट]] [[sk:Angkor Vat]] [[sl:Angkor Wat]] [[sr:Ангкор Ват]] [[fi:Angkor Wat]] [[sv:Angkor Wat]] [[tl:Angkor Wat]] [[ta:அங்கூர் வாட்]] [[te:ఆంగ్‌కోర్ వాట్]] [[th:นครวัด]] [[vi:Angkor Wat]] [[tr:Angkor Vat]] [[uk:Ангкор-Ват]] [[zh:吴哥窟]]