Secrets of Angkor Wat was Revealed by Google Earth

Scientists have long known that the sandstone blocks used to build the ancient temples of Angkor Wat from the mine at the foot of the sacred mountain nearby. Temples and other ancient monuments in the city of Angkor, Cambodia, is also built with the same stone.

However, the question is how 5-10 million stone blocks, some of which weigh more than 1.5 tons, can reach Angkor, which is up to tens of kilometers? Now, the secret was revealed thanks to the Google Earth application.

Angkor Wat's heavy stones were likely transported along a complex canal network, according to a new study. (Picture from: http://atjehpost.com/)

In a study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, a team of researchers examined the establishment of the Angkor Wat area maps using the Google Earth application. They find the lines that look like transport networks.

"The field survey revealed that the lines are a series of canals, which are connected by few roads and rivers, and leads from the mine directly to Angkor," said research team, Tuesday, October 16, 2012.

Google Earth view of Angkor Wat temple. (Picture from: http://regionalgeography.org/)

Roads and canals, some of which still serve to retain water used to move the stone blocks during the 9th century to the 13th. Total distance from the location of the stone to Angkor about 37 km. "We still do not know whether the blocks were passed through the canal using rafts or by other means," said the archaeologist.

The experts, previously theorized that the stone blocks were floated down the canal to Lake Tonle Sap River then upstream Siem Reap, with a distance of 90 km.

Oblique aerial views of remnant Angkorian urban features. (Upper Left) Occupation mounds and ponds. (Upper Right) Canals and embankments. (Lower Left) Multifunction roadway/canals. (Lower Right) Classic “village temple” configuration. (Picture from: http://www.pnas.org/)

The new network of canals found via Google Earth could have been built by thousands of workers in the age of Khmer Empire for months. That channel that facilitates the construction of Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple was probably built in the 12th century.

"These channels are part of a network of reservoirs and hydraulic works elaborately designed Khmer engineers. Their work is always inspiring and inviting admiration," the researchers said. *** [HUFFINGTONPOST | MAHARDIKA SATRIA HADI | KORAN TEMPO 4029]

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