A panoramic tour of Cambodian history traces its rediscovery in the mid-nineteenth century and what the latest findings have revealed about Khmer civilization, documenting such periods as the five-century part-Hindu, part-Buddhist empire, the gradual abandonment of Angkor, and the move of the capital downriver to the Phnom Penh area. Reprint.

An indispensible introduction to the history and culture of one of the great classical civilizations. Angkor was the capital of an empire that covered most of Indochina, and this guidebook covers not only Angkor in detail but many other sites in Cambodia and Thailand. Snellgrove paints a vivid picture of the Khmer empire, putting the monuments in their historical, artistic and social context. His seemingly boundless energy and intellectual curiosity make this a fascinating read and always informative companion.

The first chapter of the book sets out the historical framework of the Khmer empire and explores the various aspects of its civilisation, from the Indian-influenced court to the people of the rice paddies. It describes the Khmer's religious concepts, most important myths, and the structure of society, dominated by the powerful figure of the sovereign who, being at the centre of the water-management system, guaranteed the survival of his people. The book continues with details concerning the everyday life of the people, their houses, customs, traditions, and most important ceremonies. An ample section of text is dedicated to archaeological excursions. ILLUSTRATIONS: 406 photographs

"The Civilization of Angkor is remarkable and unique in that it delves into the prehistoric roots of the civilization. Higham is THE international authority on southeast Asian archaeology, and presents an up-to-date and provocative synthesis of Angkor."--Brian Fagan, author of Floods, Famines, and Emperors: El Nino and the Fate of Civilizations, and co-editor of The Oxford Companion to Archaeology. "In blending archaeological and documentary data to chronicle the rise of this important Southeast Asian state, Higham's rich history of Angkor effectively refutes traditional models of state development in the Mekong region and offers insights regarding the nature of Angkor and the processes that led to its emergence."--Miriam Stark, Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of Hawai'i and editor of The Archaeology of Social Boundaries

The Khmer civilisation centred on Angkor was one of the most remarkable to flourish in Southeast Asia.

Between the ninth and thirteenth centuries, Indochina was ruled by one of the most powerful and productive dynasties in its history: the Khmer. This book sets out the historical framework of the empire, exploring the various aspects of the Khmer civilization, from the Indian-influenced court to the people of the rice-paddies, the everyday life of the people, their houses, customs, traditions, and most important ceremonies.