The fluvial cultural landscape of Angkor: an integrated study

Research output: ThesisDoctoral ThesisMonograph

Abstract

The development of the medieval city of Angkor (802-1431 CE) in the floodplains of the Tonle Sap Lake has lead researchers to believe that Angkor made use of its extensive river network; however, little attention has been given to Angkor's relationship with its watery environment. Previous studies have presented a fragmentary view of the subject by analyzing different components in a compartmentalized way, placing the focus on nautical technology or neglecting discussion on water transport in academic works on land transport. This work aims to provide a more comprehensive study on Angkor's specific cognitive and functional traits that could be construed as a distinctive form of fluvial and cultural landscape. This is done by examining the environment, nautical technology, and the cultural biography of boats within the theoretical framework of the maritime cultural landscape and using a cross-disciplinary approach that integrates data from archaeology, iconography, history, ethnography, and environmental studies. A new topological map of Angkor's landscape of communication and transport is presented, as well as new insights on the use of boats as liminal agents for economic and political activities.
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • University of Oxford, School of Archaeology
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Robinson, Damian, Supervisor, External person
  • Hulin, Linda, Supervisor, External person
Award date15 Jun 2017
Place of PublicationOxford
Publication statusPublished - 20 Jun 2017
Externally publishedYes
MoE publication typeG4 Doctoral dissertation (monograph)

Note regarding dissertation

The thesis has been made available online through the Oxford Research Archive. It had an embargo of 3 years, after which it was made available to the public. The thesis does not contain a DOI because it is a doctoral dissertation that has not been published in this version by any publisher. Part of the content of the thesis was published in an article that won the ISEAA Early Career Award.

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