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User:Anthonyseng09/Angkor Borei

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Angkor Borei is a very early archaeological site in Cambodia located along the western edge of the upper Mekong Delta south of Phnom Penh[1]. It was populated as early as the fourth century B.C. and in the 9th century became a significant settlement of the Khmer Empire. Angkor Borei has been associated with the story of Khmer ancestors and culture heros Preah Thaong and Princess Soma.

Geography

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The Mekong Delta is flat, low-lying, and prone to flooding with regular monsoon seasons. Angkor Borei is surrounded by low-lying river delta in all directions save the northwest. Its altitude can vary from two to ten meters above sea level, with its southwestern edge being elevated.[2]

History

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Angkor Borei is one of the many sites found in Southeast Asia constructed by the Khmer Empire. Spanning approximately 300 hectares,[3] Angkor Borei was a city enclosed with brick walls and moats as well as containing numerous rectangular water reservoirs or ponds called barays. These barays were vital, considering long dry seasons made water conservation of the utmost importance. Canals were also built to connect surrounding areas with Angkor Borei and suggest it was a major trading center in the past. Rice was a key factor in agriculture and was grown during the monsoon season by utilizing the Mekong Delta's geography. Being able to grow an abundance of rice made it a major export and trade allowed the city to become a major player in overseas trade.

This ancient city was a key site for the early development of the Khmer civilization and is credited with the first known inscription in the Khmer language dated around A.D. 611.[4]. Angkor Borei may have dominated the Mekong Delta region politically and economically during part of the first millennium. Much written history about the site comes from documentation by Chinese envoys, Kang Dai and Zhu Ying, who visited the Mekong Delta in the 3rd century. They were originally sent there to explore possible sea passages through Southeast Asia to India. Some questions remain surrounding the notion that Angkor Borei served as an ancient capital of the polity known as Funan by the Chinese.

Archaeological Finds

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An expedition to the site was sponsored in 1911, during the period of French rule of Cambodia (from 1863 to 1970)[5]. French archaeologists surveyed surrounding areas where they found small hills to the south with two Hindu temples: Phnom Da and Asram Maharosei. At these, archaeologists found iconic brick architecture, statuary, and artifacts of precious metals and gemstones.

The architecture of Angkor Borei includes other Hindu temples dedicated to Hindu deities. They also contained an abundance of statues depicting Vishnu and representations of Siva, suggesting early influence from India[6]. Angkor Borei offers a model for studying the emergence of complex society.

Mythological Origins

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Many Cambodians consider Angkor Borei the site of their civilization's origins. In one Cambodian creation story, an Indian Brahmin priest named Preah Thaong (Kaundinya I) left India for Southeast Asia and arrived at the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, he was stunned by the beautiful Princess Neang Neak (Soma) bounding and dancing along the shore. Soma was the daughter of the King of the Nāgas, a race of serpent-like people believed to live under the ocean. Princess Soma and Preah Thaong fought continually, vying for control of the region. Eventually Preah Thaong defeated Princess Soma, resulting in the two falling in love and marrying [7].

Following his marriage to the Princess of the Nāgas, it is said the newly self-appointed king of the land Preah Thaong introduced Hindu customs, legal traditions, and the Sanskrit language to the people of the area. Stories also tell of him "drinking the waters" covering the land--perhaps symbolizing the iconic processes of draining water so prevalent in the delta and critical for farming rice--and gave the people a kingdom called Kambuja[8]. Geographers suggest that during ancient times the Mekong Delta was easily farmed for rice and other agriculture. Subjects of King Preah Thaong flourished and populated the area with their progeny known as Kambuja-desa[9]. It is these Kambuja-desa that are believed to be modern-day Khmers.

Although there are no known indigenous inscriptions linking Angkor Borei directly to the founding of Cambodia, names of surrounding areas suggest a connection between the Preah Thaong story and the ancient settlement of Angkor Borei. There exists a reservoir just southeast of Angkor Borei that is named Preah Thaong[10].

Modern Dangers

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Being steeped in history, Angkor Borei has paved the way for surrounding area planning with a modern town located on the ancient site. The preservation and survival of the archaeological remains is being threatened by modern day activities. Surrounding areas are being bulldozed for road construction. In 1996, one of the ancient brick structures of Angkor Borei was severely damaged[11]. Mundane, routine activities such as gardening, cleaning, use of work areas, house construction, and road maintenance are slowly gouging into the archaeological deposits and causing deterioration of the site. Looting is also a major problem as poor villagers from surrounding villages pillage artifacts to sell. A problem that only seems to intensify as more artifacts are sold and demand increases.

Notes

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  1. ^ Coe 2003, pg. 70.
  2. ^ Stark 2001, pg. 17.
  3. ^ Highman 2001, pg. 28.
  4. ^ Coe 2003, pg. 70.
  5. ^ Stark 2001, pg. 17.
  6. ^ Stark 2001, pg. 17.
  7. ^ Stark 2001, pg. 17.
  8. ^ Stark 2001, pg. 17.
  9. ^ Stark 2001, pg. 17.
  10. ^ Stark 2001, pg. 17.
  11. ^ Stark 2002, pg. 7.

References

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