Henri Mouhot and the European Discovery of Angkor Wat

In 1860, French naturalist Henri Mouhot stumbled upon Angkor Wat deep in the Cambodian jungle, launching a wave of European fascination. But Mouhot didn't 'discover' the temple—local Khmers had known it for centuries. This episode traces Mouhot's expedition, his journals, and the myths he created about a 'lost' civilization. We examine how his writings shaped Western perceptions of Angkor, the role of earlier Portuguese and Spanish visitors like Diogo do Couto, and the tension between romantic legend and historical reality. From Mouhot's death in Laos to the posthumous publication of his travelogue, we explore the man behind the myth and the enduring legacy of his encounter with Angkor Wat. #HenriMouhot #AngkorWat #EuropeanDiscovery #19thCenturyExploration #KhmerEmpire #SiemReap #DiogodoCouto #PortugueseTraders #FrenchColonialism #CambodianHistory #LostCityMyth #Travelogue #SoutheastAsia #Archaeology #MythAndReality #FexingoHistory #History #Exploration #SuryavarmanII #JayavarmanVII Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo