How did the people of the Khmer Empire manage a changing climate and what can their resilience teach us today?

The civilization of Angkor was long believed to have collapsed, but recent evidence suggests that the people continued living sustainably in the Angkor region after the empire collapsed and the capital moved south. What can we learn about dramatic changes that occurred in their society by studying their daily lives?

Much is known about the kings who ruled the Angkorian Empire from the 9th to 15th centuries, but far less is known about their subjects: the people who lived and worked during this time period and following the post-Angkorian period (15-17th centuries), the so-called "non-elites."

Previous archaeological work by the Greater Angkor Project suggests that these communities survived political conflicts from rival kingdoms and multiple periods of drought and flooding. What were their home lives like? How did they manage sustainable households under such climactic and socio-political challenges? Why did they stay after the political capital moved south?

By studying the remains of households in Battambang, scientists hope to solve some of these mysteries. Join them on this novel archaeological expedition in the quest to uncover the answers to how the Khmer people endured in the face of these obstacles.

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Location

Battambang, Battambang Province, Cambodia

Cost

$3295 | $4995

Includes all accommodation, meals, transfers, insurance and research activities

Duration

7 or 14 days (* options for 7 or 14 days; all others are 7 days)

Dates

TBC for 2021

Activity Level

Moderate

Lead Scientist

Miriam Stark