Publications
Using ground penetrating radar to understand the failure of the Koh Ker Reservoir, Northern Cambodia.
A flawed design in the Koh Ker Reservoir's spillway, revealed through ground penetrating radar and topographic mapping, likely contributed to its failure during the first rainy season after construction. This inadequacy exacerbated water flow issues, potentially accelerating the collapse of the reservoir's dike and thereby shortening Koh Ker's tenure as a political center of the Khmer Empire. The study employed advanced geophysical techniques to reconstruct the buried laterite pavement, providing new insights into ancient hydraulic engineering failures.
Using ground penetrating radar to understand the failure of the Koh Ker Reservoir, Northern Cambodia
New evidence from ground penetrating radar and excavation reveals that the Koh Ker Reservoir, built during the Angkorian period in Cambodia, suffered from a critical design flaw. The spillway's laterite pavement was even less effective at managing water flow than previously estimated, likely contributing to the reservoir's dike failure during its first rainy season after construction. This structural failure may have played a pivotal role in Koh Ker's brief tenure as the political center of the Khmer Empire, highlighting the vulnerability of ancient hydraulic engineering to environmental stresses.
Re-evaluating the occupation history of Koh Ker, Cambodia, during the Angkor period: A palaeo-ecological approach
Palaeoecological and geoarchaeological evidence reveals that Koh Ker, Cambodia, remained occupied by its domestic population for several centuries after the royal court relocated to Angkor in the 10th century. This challenges the long-held assumption that the city's abandonment by the elite marked the end of its occupation. The study employed multi-proxy environmental reconstructions—including sediment analysis and plant remains—to trace human activity and land use patterns, demonstrating their persistence well beyond the documented political shifts. These findings underscore the value of integrating palaeoecological data to refine our understanding of Khmer urban dynamics during the Angkor period.
Új irányok a khmer településtörténeti hálózatok kutatásában (Koh Ker, Kambodzsa)
New LIDAR surveys of Koh Ker, Cambodia, reveal the site as a complex network of habitation, significantly altering our understanding of its settlement history. Previous research focused on isolated temples and visible structures, but these findings highlight the importance of exploring communication channels like streets and hydraulic systems, as well as surrounding settlements and industries. This approach provides critical insights into human environmental intervention and the development of Koh Ker, a former royal center, offering a more comprehensive framework for interpreting its past occupation.
The Ancient Khmer's Dimensional Planning at the Prasat Pram in Koh Ker
A new analysis of the Prasat Pram temple at Koh Ker, Cambodia, reveals that its architectural planning follows a consistent dimensional system also used across other temples in the site. This study confirms a previously proposed construction measure and provides insights into the scale and layout features unique to Khmer temples in Koh Ker. By focusing on this small but representative structure, researchers have uncovered patterns that likely apply to the broader archaeological landscape of the ancient city.
The Ancient Khmer's Dimensional Planning at the Prasat Thom in Koh Ker
Research at the Prasat Thom temple in Koh Ker reveals intricate dimensional planning and expansion phases of the ancient Khmer structure. The study deciphers the original plan and subsequent modifications, excluding the pyramid-temple (Prang), by analyzing measured dimensions and comparing them with previous findings from Prasat Pram. This approach allows for the reconstruction of the temple's evolution, highlighting its complex design and multiple expansion stages. The findings contribute to understanding the sophisticated architectural strategies employed by ancient Khmer civilizations.
The Archaeological Landscape of Koh Ker, Northwest Cambodia
Recent archaeological research at Koh Ker, Cambodia, has uncovered a sophisticated hydraulic engineering system dating back to the 10th century, drawing parallels with the more extensive network at Angkor. Aerial and ground-based surveys revealed evidence of intensive agriculture during the Angkorian period, challenged previous interpretations of 'roadways' and 'city enclosures,' and identified domestic habitation and stone-working sites. The study also found indications of continuous occupation from early historic to post-Angkorian periods, along with signs of a collapsed water management system and significant environmental changes affecting river flows. This research sheds new light on the complexity and resilience of Koh Ker's archaeological landscape.
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