The area within the moat of Angkor Wat is remarkably expansive, measuring 402 acres, making it four times the size of Vatican City. When envisioned over London, it encompasses a significant portion of the ancient city, illustrating its grand scale. The craftsmanship of the Angkorian stone masons contrasts sharply with European cathedral builders. While European masons followed templates and carefully crafted each stone for precise geometric assembly, Angkorian masons employed a unique technique. They aimed for perfect joint contact without the use of mortar, meticulously rubbing stones together to ensure that every joint fit seamlessly. This meticulous approach underscores the distinct artistry and engineering of Angkor Wat's construction.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the largest and arguably the most astonishing religious structure on Earth, built for Suryavarman II in the 12th Century in modern-day Cambodia. It is said to have more stone in it than the Great Pyramid of Giza, and much of the surface is intricately carved and remarkably well preserved. For the last 900 years Angkor Wat has been a centre of religion, whether Hinduism, Buddhism or Animism or a combination of those, and a source of wonder to Cambodians and visitors from around the world.
With
Piphal Heng
Postdoctoral scholar at the Cotsen Institute and the Programme for Early Modern Southeast Asia at UCLA
Ashley Thompson
Hiram W Woodward Chair of Southeast Asian Art at SOAS University of London
And
Simon Warrack
A stone conservator who has worked extensively at Angkor Wat
Producer: Simon Tillotson