ANGKOR and I

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93 800 meters along the road lying in front of us, we will see the entrance at the eastern approach of the Phnom Bakheng temple (belonging to the end of the 9th century), located atop a hill. Reaching the temple entails climbing the steep approach that lies in front of us. On continuing further for about 600 meters, we will reach the moat of the Angkor Thom and its main southern gate. Before it on the left stands the Baksei Chamkrong temple (erected in 948), a laterite structure having a three-tier foundation, that was built by Rajendravarman I (944~968). Just a short walk makes you feel as though you are walking over the ruins of the Ginza in Tokyo. At the close of the 9th century, during the period of the Phnom Bakheng city, the Baksei Chamkrong temple as well as Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom did not exist. The same is true in the period of Angkor Wat, for then the Angkor Thom city did not exist. Nevertheless however, we of the current age can succeed in enjoying in a single day the tourism of three castle towns and one temple, transcending in space and time a period of 300 years. Within these three castle towns and temple, several people once devoted their time to developing period picture scrolls. The Capital of Angkor Thom. What is it that Constituted the Vigor of those Bygone Days? If we were to measure Angkor Thom accurately, we would see that it is not a perfect square. The north side is 3096 meters, while the south, east, and west sides are 3070, 3031, and 3036 meters respectively, implying subtle errors. The encircling walls have a height of 7.5 meters. Stone blocks such as laterite (red clay stone) were adjusted and made to adhere to each other, and then piled up. No adhesive material was used. This is a stone stacking technique that was unique to Angkor architecture. The city of Angkor Thom was circumscribed by robust walls of about 3 kilometers, that ran from east to west and north to south. Each wall had city gates, with large hinged wooden double doors affixed to them. These gates were opened in