Evidence for the breakdown of an Angkorian hydraulic system, and its historical implications for understanding the Khmer Empire. (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lustig, Terry; Klassen, Sarah; Evans, Damian; French, Robert; Moffat, Ian
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 17(2018)
• Page Start: 195
• Page End: 211
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: APHRODITE Asian Precipitation – Highly Resolved Observational Data Integration Towards Evaluation (of Water Resources) -- ARI annual recurrence interval -- ASL above sea level -- DIAS Data Integration and Analysis System -- EFEO École française d'Extrême-Orient -- GPR ground penetrating radar -- HEC-GeoRAS Hydrologic Engineering Center: GIS tools for support of HEC-RAS -- HEC-RAS Hydrologic Engineering Center: River Analysis System -- HEC-HMS Hydrologic Engineering Center: Hydrologic Modeling System -- MCS mesoscale convective system -- RMSE root mean square error -- SRTM NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission -- TRMM Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission; Angkor -- Archaeology -- Engineering practice -- Koh Ker -- Lidar -- Palaeohydrology -- Trial and error -- Water management; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.11.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Abstract: This paper examines the construction and design of a 7-km long embankment, probably built for King Jayavarman IV between 928 and 941 CE, as part of a new capital. We calculate that the capacities of the outlets were too small, and conclude that the embankment failed, probably within a decade of construction, so that the benefits of the reservoir stored by the embankment and the access road on top of it were lessened substantially. We explain how the design was sub-optimal for construction, and that while the layout had a high aesthetic impact, the processes for ensuring structural integrity were poor. Simple and inexpensive steps to secure the weir were not undertaken. We speculate that this early failure may have contributed to the decision to return the royal court and the capital of the Khmer Empire to the Angkor region, marking a critically important juncture in regional history. Highlights: Design of water storage deficient. Design possibly constrained by aesthetic requirements. Failure could have been avoided. Water storage failure may have helped shorten Koh Ker's period as Angkorian capital.