Hi-tech lasers uncover medieval civilisation around Angkor Wat in Cambodia

An Australian archaeologist says he and colleagues have found evidence of previously undiscovered medieval urban and agricultural networks surrounding the ancient city of Angkor Wat.

Using hi-tech lasers to scan the Cambodian jungle, Damian Evans and colleagues say they found traces of extensive networks surrounding the monumental stone temple complex at Angkor Wat. Evans said their findings could further our understanding of Khmer culture and throw into question traditional assumptions about the 15th-century decline of the empire.

Evans said a laser technology known as lidar was used to create precise maps of ancient networks that left only vague traces – invisible to the naked eye – in the landscape surrounding the temples.

“You could be standing in the middle of the forest looking at what appear to be some random lumps and bumps,” Evans said. “But they might actually be evidence of old excavated ponds or built-up roadways,” he explained. “All of these things left traces in the surface of the landscape that would not make sense to you without a more detailed picture.”

To obtain such details, Evans said his colleagues spent 90 hours in a helicopter directing laser scans into the jungle surrounding Angkor Wat. He said that the resulting images are so intricate “you can see objects lying next to a tiny anthill”.