temple city 11.12.09

city form: architecture

 
Angkor Thom was the dominant city in Asia in the 12th century, but by 1609 the city had been abandoned. Rediscovered by the French in 1863, the mortarless laterite and sandstone towers had withstood time and extreme weather, sheltered by a dense jungle that hid the sacred structures. The intricate engravings tell of the Khmer Empire at its height. The only other record of the lost life at Angkor is the written account of a visiting Chinese diplomat in 1296.http://www.angkor-traveltips.com/angkor-thom.htmhttp://www.autoriteapsara.org/en/angkor/history/classical.htmlhttp://www.autoriteapsara.org/en/angkor/history/rediscovery.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateritehttp://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/angkor_side.html?c=y&page=1http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/angkor_side.html?c=y&page=1shapeimage_6_link_0shapeimage_6_link_1shapeimage_6_link_2shapeimage_6_link_3shapeimage_6_link_4shapeimage_6_link_5