The monuments of Angkor in Cambodia are constructed of sandstone, laterite and brick. Three types of sandstone are recognised, but a grey to yellowish brown type is the most common. Researchers suggest that a canal was used to transport the stone blocks from a series of quarries to Angkor.
Angkor Wat temple complex. Image: David Connolly
The quarries of Angkor
Etsuo Uchida and Ichita Shimoda of Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan, conducted a field investigation of sandstone quarries from the Angkor period at the south-eastern foot of Mt. Kulen, which is approximately 35 km northeast of the Angkor monuments. They discovered that there were more than fifty of these quarries.
By measuring the magnetic susceptibility and thickness of the sandstone blocks the researchers found that they originated from four distinct areas that were quarried at different times. In addition, a canal that was identified on satellite images, connected quarry sites at the foot of Mt. Kulen to the Angkor monuments. The field investigation suggested a high probability that the canal was used for the transportation of sandstone blocks.
A direct route
The sandstone blocks each weigh up to 1.5 tonnes, but it was previously thought that they were taken 35 kilometres along a canal to Tonlé Sap lake, rafted another 35 km along the lake before then being taken up the Siem Reap river for 15 km, against the current.
Thinking this was unlikely, Uchida and Shimoda, used satellite images to search for a short cut. The canal they discovered led directly from the foot of Mount Kulen to Angkor – a gentle 34-km route, as opposed to the arduous 85-km trek that was previously accepted.
Tonlé Sap Lake Lake region. Image David Connolly
Source: Journal of Archaeological Science
More Information
- Uchida, E. and Shimoda, I., “Quarries and transportation routes of Angkor monument sandstone blocks,” Journal of Archaeological Science (2012), doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2012.09.036. Complete article
- Waseda University
- Greater Angkor Project International research project investigating the settlement context of the temples at Angkor
- GreatAngkor Khmer temples, maps and photos
- The World Monuments Fund in Angkor – background, interactive map, travel tips, panoramas, e-cards
- Angkor digital media archive – Photos, laser scans, panoramas of Angkor Wat and Banteay Kdei
