Beyond the Unwelcome Memories of War

Then, in 1860, as the United States was preparing to have a full-blown civil war, a French researcher and botanist stumbled on the ruins of the city of Angkor. Henri Mouhot persuaded the French government that the ruins were worth a spot of money, and the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient launched a massive research and restoration project which continued into the 20th Century, only to be interrupted by the Vietnam War.

Things in Cambodia have not been easy since the Vietnam War, with rival factions vying for the throne trying to set up a legitimate government that might be recognized by neighboring countries and possible allies. By the early 1990s the government of Cambodia (while still unstable) was recognized and monitored by the United Nations and conditions within the country began to improve. No longer were poverty and starvation the staple for Cambodians, and refugees who had fled to neighboring countries like Thailand began to return. Work on the city of Angkor and the Angkor Wat temple complex were undertaken again with renewed vigor.

The discovery work at Angkor Wat has located three galleries and five large shrines within the complex. The walls and ceilings of the galleries are covered with lotus rosettes, apsaras and reliefs depicting life at the height of the Khmer Empire. Images of snakes, statues of lions and beautiful Buddhist statues are common in the artwork of Angkor Wat. The terraced roofs of the temples and the perfect proportions of the buildings make them some of the most awe-inspiring in all of Southeast Asia.

The city of Angkor and Angkor Wat have made UNESCO's list of the world's most endangered sites. In 1992 UNESCO cited some of the largest threats to Angkor as "looting, vandalism and natural forces." UNESCO indicates that today "Angkor is now facing new problems including vegetation growth, stone weathering, and looting of the temples, as well as a new and difficult challenge: the amazing development of tourism."

Take a look at the books and links below to find out more about Angkor and the Khmer Empire. It may inspire your next vacation.

Books
Angkor: Heart of an Asian Empire by Bruno Dagens and Ruth Sharman (translator)
Khmer: The Lost Empire of Cambodia by Thierry Zephir

Links
Angkor, Cambodia - UNESCO
Angkor Wat
Southeast Asian Monuments: Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
World's Most Endangered Sites: About Angkor, Cambodia

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