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Prehistoric
There are indications that Cambodia was inhabited
during the prehistoric period. The earliest
settlement found in the Battambang region suggests
occupation 6,000 years ago. These early inhabitants
lived in caves, artefacts found at these sites
suggests that they had proficiency in pottery and
decorative arts.
100 - 802 ad.
By the first century AD the inhabitants of Cambodia
were living in small communities cultivating crops
and keeping domesticated pigs and buffalo. During
the first few centuries Cambodia experienced an
influx of Indian traders who used Cambodia as
gateway through to the lucrative markets of China.
The Indian influence commonly referred to as
Indianisation was responsible for much of Cambodia's
religious and cultural development. The indians key
contributions were the introduction of both Buddhism
and Hinduism to Cambodia, the development of a legal
system, greater scientific understanding and
literature.
802 - 1432 ad. Angkorian Period
The Angkorian period began with the arrival of King
Jayavarum II in 802 ad. It is thought he returned to
Cambodia in 790 after being imprisoned at the royal
court in Java Indonesia. In a ceremony at Mount
Kulen - 25 miles north east of Angkor Thom,
Jayavarum II announced his 'universal kingship'.
Thirty years after his death, the first major temple
- Preah Ko was constructed in his honour by his
successor King Indravarman I (ruled 877-89).
Indravarman later went to build the temple mountain
of Bakong and the first Barray (large water
reservoir) setting a precedent for future rulers.
Indravarums son King Yasovarman I was responsible
for the first temple in the Angkor region after he
moved the Khmer capital from Rolous to Angkor after
a clash with his brother for the throne which left
the royal palace in ashes. Angkor would serve as the
Khmer capital for the next 500 years.
Several more kings came and went, gradually adding
more temples to the Angkor region. King Suryavarum
II (ruled 1113 - 1150) was one of the more ambitious
completing the magnificent Angkor Wat in 1150. The
last major king to rule in the Angkor region was
king Jayavarum VII (ruled 1181 - 1220). Jayavarum
VII was the most prolific temple builder of all the
Angkor kings, building more temples, roads and
bridges than all the other kings put together. The
most famous temples include the giant buddha faced
Bayon, the capital city of Angkor Thom, Preah Khan,
Banteasy Kdei and Ta Prohm. After his death in 1220
no more temples were built Despite the halt in
temple building It appears Angkor continued to
flourish, in the late 13th century Chinese emissary
Zhou Daguan described Angkor as 'rich and oppulent'.
In 1350 the Thais moved their capital to Ayutthaya
and became an increasing threat for the Khmers.
Over the years there were series of skirmishes with
the Thais culminating in a seven month siege on
Angkor in 1431. King Ponhea Yat decided enough was
enough and moved the capital to Phnom Penh in 1432
when the capital was relocated the major temples of
Angkor were inhabited and maintained by monks for a
further hundred years or so before they were finally
abandoned. There are sketchy accounts of western
visitors to Angkor as early as the 16th century, but
the first real published account in the west was
made by French missionary Charles-Emile Bouillevaux
in 1858. One year later Englishman DO King published
a paper for the Royal Geographic Society where he
describes Angkor Wat. |
