Angkor Wat's Enduring Mystery: The Abandonment That Wasn't

In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore a persistent mystery: why was Angkor Wat seemingly abandoned in the 15th century? They challenge the popular narrative of a sudden collapse after the Ayutthaya siege of 1431, uncovering evidence from tree-ring data, Chinese accounts, and Portuguese letters. Discover how Angkor Wat was never truly forgotten—local Buddhist monks maintained it as a pilgrimage site for centuries. The conversation dives into the gradual shift of political power to Phnom Penh, the role of Theravada Buddhism, and the forest that reclaimed the temple complex. Lucas reveals how the 'rediscovery' by Henri Mouhot in 1860 was actually a European re-discovery, as the temple had remained a living site. They also touch on modern conservation efforts by the École française d'Extrême-Orient and UNESCO. This episode offers a fresh perspective on resilience and continuity in Southeast Asian history, challenging the myth of a lost civilization. #AngkorWat #KhmerEmpire #Ayutthaya #HenriMouhot #TheravadaBuddhism #PhnomPenh #UNESCO #EFEO #ZhouDaguan #Portuguese #SiemReap #TreeRingDating #Abandonment #HistoricalMyth #SoutheastAsia #Archaeology #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo