Form, structure and long-term Angkorian urbanism: A view from the Kok Phnov site (9th–10th century CE)

The capital of Angkor remained the powerbase Khmer polity for more than 600 years, indicating its resilience. Recent work at investigates evolution this massive agro-urban center, but most that research has focused on large-scale landscape developments rather occupational sequences urban localities. Our paper blends remotely-sensed ground survey, excavation, art historic, and epigraphic data in Pre Rup area (and specifically around Kok Phnov settlement) to provide a fine-grained perspective development Angkor's configuration through time. We write against assumption successive state temples defined neighborhoods temple communities across space illustrate their interconnectivity as “districts” sustained core. Districts, administrative units, included civic-ceremonial, craft production, residential neighborhoods. Drawing field-based investigations mound clusters we offer evidence continuous habitation production from 9th–16th centuries. use patterning larger Eastern District argue Angkorian urbanism developed unevenly time space, bottom-up social forces – well design topography crafted form. Such districts were foundational elements urbanism, studying sheds light dynamic resilient 600-year history.