Angkor Wat (Full Episode) | Access 360 World Heritage

Summary

The video explores the ancient city of Angkor Wat and its mysterious collapse. Aerial archaeologists use cutting-edge technology, like laser mapping, to uncover the ruins of this once-thriving metropolis, which was home to nearly a million people. The engineers of the Khmer Empire developed an advanced water management system, relying on massive reservoirs and canals. Despite its success, the civilization's downfall came with severe droughts that overwhelmed the deteriorating infrastructure. Efforts to preserve the ruins continue, as modern experts work to protect this historical site from natural and tourist-induced damage.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ankor Wat is part of the Ankor World Heritage site, with Ankor once being the largest city on Earth before its sudden disappearance.
• 😀 Aerial archaeologist Damien Evans uses advanced laser technology to map the ruins of Ankor and uncover traces of the city's boundaries and landmarks.
• 😀 The CH Empire, which once controlled Southeast Asia, was a military superpower and the civilization behind Ankor, with its capital city swallowed by jungle in the 15th century.
• 😀 Modern technology, such as helicopters and lasers, has revealed hidden structures beneath the jungle, including hundreds of temples, canals, and roads.
• 😀 The disappearance of Ankor remains a mystery, with no clear signs of invasion, plague, or disaster; archaeologists are searching for answers in the ruins.
• 😀 Restoration efforts at Ankor Wat are ongoing, with experts working to stabilize the temples, prevent water erosion, and protect them from further deterioration.
• 😀 The preservation of the ancient structures is challenged by megatourism, with thousands of visitors arriving daily, potentially damaging the temples.
• 😀 The CH Empire’s engineering feat in creating an extensive water management system, including reservoirs and canals, helped Ankor thrive as a major urban center.
• 😀 Ankor's hydraulic system allowed the civilization to store excess rainwater during the wet season and distribute it during the dry season, ensuring a steady supply of water for agriculture.
• 😀 Climate change and droughts likely played a role in the collapse of Ankor, as a 20-30 year drought period, combined with a failing water system, led to the empire’s downfall.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of Damien Evans and his team of aerial archaeologists?

Damien Evans and his team of aerial archaeologists are using new technology, such as laser mapping from helicopters, to trace the urban boundaries and landmarks of the ancient city of Anor. Their goal is to map the ruins and understand how the city functioned and why it collapsed.

How does the use of helicopters and lasers help in the study of ancient cities?

Helicopters equipped with lasers allow researchers to cut through jungle cover and detect topographical details hidden beneath, revealing structures and patterns in the landscape that would otherwise be invisible from the ground. This technology helps map the full extent of ancient cities like Anor.

What significant finding did Damien Evans and Scott Hawkin discover while mapping Anor?

Damien Evans and Scott Hawkin discovered a network of canals and reservoirs beneath the jungle, revealing an advanced water management system that supported the city's massive population. This system was crucial for the civilization's success.

What was the main cause of erosion and decay at the temple sites in Anor?

Water is the main cause of erosion and decay at the temple sites. Over time, water gets behind the stones, causing the structure to collapse due to the pressure exerted by wet dirt. This leads to the gradual crumbling of the temple facades.

How are modern preservation efforts addressing the damage caused to the temples by water and other factors?

Modern preservation efforts, led by experts like Glenn Borian, involve stabilizing the temples by removing eroded sandstone blocks and installing new foundations made from laterite. This allows the original stones to be replaced carefully, helping prevent further damage.

What role does tourism play in the preservation challenges faced by the temples of Anor?

The rise of megatourism, with thousands of tourists visiting daily, puts immense pressure on the temples. Visitors often touch the stones, which can lead to further wear and tear, making preservation efforts even more challenging.

Why was the ancient city's hydraulic system so vital to Anor's success?

Anor's hydraulic system, consisting of vast reservoirs and canals, was essential for managing water during both wet and dry seasons. It ensured a steady water supply for agriculture, which supported the large urban population and enabled the civilization to thrive.

What environmental challenges did the ancient civilization of Anor face, and how did they manage them?

Anor faced the challenge of having too much water during the wet season and not enough during the dry season. The civilization built a complex water management system that could store excess water during the wet season and release it during droughts, ensuring a stable water supply for farming.

What is the connection between Anor's water management system and its eventual collapse?

The collapse of Anor's water management system, likely due to a prolonged drought and the neglect of maintenance, contributed to the city's downfall. Without a functioning water system, Anor could not sustain its agricultural output, leading to the civilization's collapse.

What role did the transition from Hinduism to Buddhism play in the decline of Anor?

The transition from Hinduism to Buddhism in the 13th century led to a shift in religious practices and priorities. This change may have contributed to the cessation of maintenance on the water management system and the halting of temple construction, ultimately destabilizing the city's infrastructure.