Scientists in Cambodia have found new previously undocumented medieval cities scattered around the religious temples of Angkor.
Archeologist Dr Damian Evans will publish findings in the Journal of Archaeological Science announcing cutting edge airborne laser technology has uncovered several cities near the Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia.
It’s believed the cities are between 900 and 1400 years old and rival the country’s modern capital Phnom Penh in size, the Guardian reports.
Some experts are now reportedly saying the sheer size of the cities indicates that in 1200 AD they were at the centre of the largest empire on earth.
“Our coverage of the post-Angkorian capitals also provides some fascinating new insights on the ‘collapse’ of Angkor,” Dr Evans told the Guardian.
“There’s an idea that somehow the Thais invaded and everyone fled down south – that didn’t happen, there are no cities [revealed by the aerial survey] that they fled to. It calls into question the whole notion of an Angkorian collapse.”
Agencies/Canadajournal