The ancient city of Angkor, Cambodia. Credit: The University of Sydney
Posted on 02/25/2019 6:31:31 PM PST by SunkenCiv
New University of Sydney research has revealed the ancient Cambodian city of Angkor underwent a gradual decline in occupation rather than an abrupt collapse. Researchers have long debated the causes of Angkor's demise in the 15th century. Historical explanations have emphasi[z]ed the role of aggressive neighbouring states, and the abandonment of Angkor in 1431 A.D. has been portrayed as a catastrophic demographic collapse. However, new scientific evidence shows that the intensity of land use within the economic and administrative centre of the city declined gradually more than 100 years before the supposed collapse, implying a very different end to the city. Associate Professor Dan Penny from the University of Sydney's School of Geosciences examined sediment drill-cores extracted from the moat surrounding Angkor Thom, the last and largest of Angkor's walled citadels... Associate Professor Penny and co-authors show that evidence for forest disturbance, soil erosion and burning all declined in the first decades of the 14th century, suggesting a sustained decline in land-use in the commercial and administrative heart of the ancient city. By the end of the 14th century, the moat was covered in floating swamp vegetation, which indicates that it was no longer being maintained. The findings suggest Angkor's demise was not a catastrophic collapse caused by the Ayutthayan invasion or by infrastructural failure, but a gradual demographic shift by the urban elite.
(Excerpt) Read more at eurekalert.org ...
More socialists killing the golden goose.
Creeping liberal control?
Interesting. Thanks for posting.
[shrug] Global Warming probably.
Weren’t they flooded over time with Thai migrants who came first for jobs but eventually took over and didn’t care about Angkor culture?
The invaders shouted "Anggkor's aweigh!", and it was pretty much over.
My Angkor over that last pun is unfathomable.
Looks like the Angkor Steam Beer brewery.
Wat ever do you mean? ;^)
Wat’s that?
Our daughter spent three days visiting it 2001. Quite a place.
An ancient occurrence of Progressivism killed their society.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
