Archaeoastronomy in the Khmer heartland

TL;DR

This study systematically analyzes the orientations of Khmer empire monuments using GIS and astronomical reconstructions, revealing patterns linked to symbolism and power, and explaining anomalies in temple alignments.

Contribution

It applies modern archaeoastronomy methods to Khmer monuments, providing a clear pattern of orientations and explanations for anomalies, advancing understanding of Khmer temple symbolism.

Findings

Cardinal orientation patterns linked to symbolism

Alignment patterns connected with Khmer kings' power

Explanation for anomalous temple orientations

Abstract

The heartland of the Khmer empire is literally crowded by magnificent monuments built in the course of many centuries. These monuments include the world-famous state-temples, such as Angkor Wat, but also many other temples and huge water reservoirs. Using Google Earth data as well as GIS data and reconstructing the ancient sky with Stellarium, we investigate here on the relationships of astronomy with orientation and topography in a systematic fashion, following the methods of modern Archaeoastronomy and strictly keeping at a bay vague or esoteric proposals put forward by many authors in the past. As a result, a very clear pattern of cardinal orientation and alignment arises, connected with the temple's symbolism and the management of power by the Khmer kings. As a bonus, the comparison with the Angkor monuments allows to put forward a explanation for the anomalous orientation of the unique two peripheral state temples of Cambodia.