Angkor

Definition

Angkor was the capital city of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th centuries, located in present-day Cambodia. It is renowned for its stunning architecture, including the famous Angkor Wat temple complex, and represents a significant example of how human societies can transform their environment through large-scale construction, agricultural practices, and urban planning.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Angkor was home to millions at its peak, making it one of the largest urban centers of its time, with a complex network of canals and reservoirs that supported agriculture.
2. The iconic temple of Angkor Wat was originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu but later transformed into a Buddhist site.
3. Angkor's society was heavily dependent on rice cultivation, which was supported by an intricate irrigation system that maximized agricultural output.
4. The decline of Angkor is attributed to a combination of factors including environmental changes, overexploitation of resources, and political turmoil.
5. Archaeological evidence shows that the inhabitants of Angkor modified their landscape significantly, leading to both short-term prosperity and long-term environmental consequences.

Review Questions

• How did the urban planning and agricultural practices in Angkor demonstrate human impact on the environment?
  • The urban planning and agricultural practices in Angkor are prime examples of human impact on the environment. The Khmer civilization developed an elaborate irrigation system that allowed for extensive rice cultivation, demonstrating how they adapted the landscape to support a large population. This manipulation of water resources led to significant agricultural productivity but also resulted in long-term changes to local ecosystems and resource depletion.
• Discuss the relationship between Angkor's architectural achievements and its environmental consequences.
  • The architectural achievements of Angkor, particularly seen in structures like Angkor Wat, reflect the empire's advanced engineering skills and its ability to mobilize labor. However, this monumental construction came at an environmental cost. The deforestation needed for timber and land for agriculture altered local ecosystems, contributing to soil erosion and diminished agricultural yields over time. This highlights how impressive cultural achievements can simultaneously lead to environmental degradation.
• Evaluate how the decline of Angkor serves as a case study for understanding sustainable practices in historical societies.
  • The decline of Angkor offers valuable insights into sustainable practices in historical societies. While the civilization thrived for centuries due to effective agricultural strategies and urban development, it ultimately faced collapse due to unsustainable resource management and environmental changes. Analyzing this decline emphasizes the importance of balancing human needs with environmental health, illustrating that even advanced societies can falter when they exploit their resources without consideration for sustainability.

Related terms

Khmer Empire: A powerful Southeast Asian empire that flourished from the 9th to the 15th centuries, known for its monumental architecture and advanced irrigation systems.

Irrigation: The artificial application of water to land for agricultural purposes, which played a key role in sustaining the population of Angkor.

Environmental degradation: The deterioration of the natural environment through human activities, which was evident in Angkor due to deforestation and changes in land use.