Home Region:  Mainland Southeast Asia (Southeast Asia)

Early Angkor

802 CE 1100 CE
EQ 2020  kh_angkor_1 / KhAngkE
Preceding Entity: Add one more here.
550 CE 825 CE Chenla (kh_chenla)    [continuity]

Succeeding Entity: Add one more here.
1100 CE 1220 CE Classical Angkor (kh_angkor_2)    [continuity]

Displayed:



Learn more about polity border choices.
Hit enter after changing the year or setting the play rate.


  General Description  
The Khmer Empire was established in 802 CE, when a ruler known as Jayavarman II had himself proclaimed ’universal monarch’ in a ceremony performed by Sanskrit-speaking priests on a mountain close to the Tonlé Sap lake. [1] By bringing previously independent polities under their control, Jayavarman II and his successors expanded their realm across mainland Southeast Asia, including parts of modern-day Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. [2] Our Early Angkor period runs from 802 to 1100 CE, after which a new dynasty ‒ named after their place of origin, Mahidharapura ‒ came to power. [3]
Population and political organization
Numerous small kingdoms formed in the lower Mekong Basin in the mid-1st millennium CE, but until the conquests of Jayavarman II, most failed to outlive their founders. [1] Jayavarman II managed to unify previously warring local lords under his aegis, turning independent polities into provinces and laying the foundations for over six centuries of Khmer rule centred on the Siem Reap plain. [4]
Like many polities in Southeast Asia at the turn of the 1st millennium CE, the new kingdom, with its growing urban centre on the north shore of the Tonlé Sap, borrowed from Indian religious practices, concepts of divine kingship, language, writing and iconography in order to legitimize royal power. [5] [6] Its kings patronized both Hindu and Buddhist institutions, building monasteries and sanctuaries dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and the Buddha that doubled as outposts of royal power throughout the realm. [7] [8] However, in this early period, it was the Hindu concepts that were most dominant: the ruler was exalted as a devaraja (god-king) and symbolically linked to Shiva. [9] Temples built in the kingdom before 1100 CE include Preah Ko, Bakheng, Pre Rup and Baphuon. [10]
The riches of Angkor ultimately flowed from wet-rice agriculture, [1] and an institutionalized hierarchy of officials developed to funnel surplus rice produced in villages, as well as other goods like honey, spices, cloth and gold, to the royal centre. [4] [11] Angkor kings also used corvée labour to build temples, irrigation infrastructure and other public works. [11] [12]
The Khmer Empire is famous for its sprawling but low-density urban sites. [2] It has been claimed that Angkor itself was the ’largest settlement complex of the preindustrial world’: [13] at its peak in the 12th century (after this period) it covered 1000 square kilometres and may have housed over 750,000 people. [14] However, the total population of the empire in this period is still unclear.

[1]: (Taylor 1992, 159) Keith W. Taylor. 1992. ’The Early Kingdoms’, in The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia, Vol. I: From Early Times to c. 1800, edited by Nicholas Tarling, 137-82. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

[2]: (Fletcher 2012, 300) Roland Fletcher. 2012. ’Low-Density, Agrarian-Based Urbanism: Scale, Power, and Ecology’, in The Comparative Archaeology of Complex Societies, edited by M. Smith, 285-320. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

[3]: (Higham 2001, 107-09) Charles Higham. 2001. The Civilization of Angkor. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

[4]: (Higham 2012, 185) Charles Higham. 2012. ’Khmer Civilization and the Empire of Angkor’, in The Oxford Companion to Archaeology, edited by Brian M. Fagan, 183-86. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[5]: (Higham 2001, 8) Charles Higham. 2001. The Civilization of Angkor. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

[6]: (Kulke 1986, 14-15) Hermann Kulke. 1986. ’The Early and the Imperial Kingdom in Southeast Asian History’, in Southeast Asia in the 9th to 14th Centuries, edited by David G. Marr and A. C. Milner, 1-22. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.

[7]: (Taylor 1992, 160) Keith W. Taylor. 1992. ’The Early Kingdoms’, in The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia, Vol. I: From Early Times to c. 1800, edited by Nicholas Tarling, 137-82. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

[8]: (Lieberman 2003, 33) Victor Lieberman. 2003. Strange Parallels: Southeast Asia in Global Context, c. 800‒1830, Vol. 1: Integration on the Mainland. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

[9]: (Hall 2010, 15) Kenneth R. Hall. 2010. A History of Early Southeast Asia: Maritime Trade and Societal Development, 100‒1500. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.

[10]: (Higham 2001, xiv) Charles Higham. 2001. The Civilization of Angkor. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

[11]: (Coe 2003, 141) Michael D. Coe. 2003. Angkor and the Khmer Civilization. New York: Thames & Hudson.

[12]: (Higham 2014, 368-70) Charles Higham. 2014. Early Mainland Southeast Asia: From First Humans to Angkor. Bangkok: River Books.

[13]: (Evans et al. 2013, 12595) Damian H. Evans, Roland J. Fletcher, Christophe Pottier, Jean-Baptiste Chevance, Dominique Soutif, Boun Suy Tan, Sokrithy Im, Darith Ea, Tina Tin, Samnang Kim, Christopher Cromarty, Stéphane De Greef, Kasper Hanus, Pierre Bâty, Robert Kuszinger, Ichita Shimoda, and Glenn Boornazian. 2013. ’Uncovering Archaeological Landscapes at Angkor Using Lidar’. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 110 (31): 12595-600.

[14]: (Penny et al. 2014, 1) Dan Penny, Jean-Baptiste Chevance, David Tang, and Stéphane De Greef. 2014. ’The Environmental Impact of Cambodia’s Ancient City of Mahendraparvata (Phnom Kulen)’. PLoS ONE 9 (1): e84252.

Economy Variables (Luxury Goods) Coding in Progress.
Religion Variables Coding in Progress.
Crisis Consequence Cases Coding in Progress.
Instability Events Coding in Progress.

NGA Settlements:

Year Range Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1) was in:
 (802 CE 1079 CE) Cambodian Basin
Home NGA: Cambodian Basin

General Variables
Identity and Location Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Utm Zone 48 P 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Original Name 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Capital 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Capital 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Capital 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Capital 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Capital 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Alternative Name Kambudesa 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Alternative Name Khmer 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Alternative Name Khmer Kingdom 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Alternative Name Angkor Period 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Alternative Name Kambuja-desa 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Alternative Name Kambdynaudesa 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Alternative Name Kambuja 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Temporal Bounds Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Peak Years
Loading...
Duration
Loading...
Political and Cultural Relations Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Suprapolity Relations 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Supracultural Entity 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Succeeding Entity Classical Angkor 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Scale of Supracultural Interaction 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Relationship to Preceding Entity 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Succeeding Entity
1100 CE 1220 CE
Loading...
Preceding Entity
550 CE 825 CE
Loading...
Degree of Centralization 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Language Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Linguistic Family Austro-Asiatic 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Linguistic Family Mon-Khmer 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Language 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Religion Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Religion Genus Hinduism 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Religion Family Saiva Traditions 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Alternate Religion Genus Buddhism 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Alternate Religion Family Mahayana 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Alternate Religion Uncoded Undecided 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Population of the Largest Settlement 802 CE
Loading...
Population of the Largest Settlement 900 CE
Loading...
Polity Territory 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Hierarchical Complexity Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Settlement Hierarchy 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Religious Level 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Military Level 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Administrative Level 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Professions Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Soldier 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Professional Priesthood 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Professional Military Officer 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Bureaucracy Characteristics Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Government Building 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Merit Promotion 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Full Time Bureaucrat 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Examination System 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Law Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Lawyer 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Judge 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
802 CE  1100 CE
Court 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Specialized Buildings: polity owned Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Market 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Irrigation System 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Food Storage Site 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Drinking Water Supply System 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Transport Infrastructure Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Road 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Port 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Canal 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Bridge 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Special-purpose Sites Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Mines or Quarry 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Information / Writing System Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Written Record 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Script 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Phonetic Alphabetic Writing 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Nonwritten Record 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Mnemonic Device 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Information / Kinds of Written Documents Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Scientific Literature 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Sacred Text 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Religious Literature 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Practical Literature 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Philosophy 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Lists Tables and Classification 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
History 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Fiction 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Calendar 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Information / Money Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Token 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Precious Metal 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Paper Currency 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Indigenous Coin 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Foreign Coin 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Article 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Information / Postal System Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Postal Station 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
General Postal Service 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Courier 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Information / Measurement System Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Wooden Palisade 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Stone Walls Non Mortared 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Stone Walls Mortared 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Settlements in a Defensive Position 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Modern Fortification 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Moat 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Fortified Camp 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Earth Rampart 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Ditch 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Complex Fortification 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Long Wall 12 km 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Military use of Metals Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Steel 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Iron 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Copper 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Bronze 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Projectiles Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Tension Siege Engine 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Sling Siege Engine 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Sling 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Self Bow 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Javelin 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Handheld Firearm 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Gunpowder Siege Artillery 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Crossbow 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Composite Bow 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Atlatl 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Handheld weapons Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
War Club 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Sword 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Spear 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Polearm 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Dagger 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Battle Axe 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Animals used in warfare Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Horse 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Elephant 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Donkey 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Dog 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Camel 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Armor Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Wood Bark Etc 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Shield 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Scaled Armor 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Plate Armor 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Limb Protection 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Leather Cloth 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Laminar Armor 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Helmet 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Chainmail 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Breastplate 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Naval technology Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Military Vessel 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Small Vessels Canoes Etc 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Merchant Ships Pressed Into Service 802 CE  1100 CE
Loading...
Economy Variables (Luxury Goods)
Religion Variables
Moralizing Supernatural Punishment and Reward Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Human Sacrifice Early Angkor (kh_angkor_1)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Instability Data
Power Transitions