Angkor's Disappearing City: The Rise and Fall of Koh Ker

In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into the short-lived but spectacular capital of the Khmer Empire under King Jayavarman IV at Koh Ker, also known as Chok Gargyar. They explore why Jayavarman IV abandoned Angkor, the massive construction projects including the seven-tiered Prasat Thom pyramid, and the political and religious motivations behind the move. The conversation covers the reign of Jayavarman IV from 921 to 941 CE, his possible usurpation of the throne, the irrigation systems that sustained the city, and the sudden abandonment after his death. Lucas explains the archaeological evidence from lidar surveys and inscriptions that reveal Koh Ker's rapid rise and fall, and how it fits into the broader narrative of Khmer power shifts. Luna asks about the scale of the site, the engineering challenges, and what happened to the population. The episode ends by reflecting on how Koh Ker represents a fascinating 'what if' in Khmer history. #KohKer #JayavarmanIV #ChokGargyar #PrasatThom #KhmerEmpire #Angkor #Cambodia #SoutheastAsianHistory #Archaeology #Lidar #Hinduism #Devaraja #Usurpation #Irrigation #Pyramid #AncientCities #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo