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This view of the Kapilapura mound on the perimeter of the ancient Cambodian site of Angkor Wat shows how nondescript this feature is at ground level. Detailed topography data collected by NASA's Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) instrument enabled JPL scientists to spot the mound and, subsequently, provide ground verification in December 1997. Inscriptions and temple remains on the mound date to the 10th century, long before the mid-12th century construction of Angkor Wat. The existence of Kapilapura shows that Angkor Wat was a sacred place long before the famous temple was built. Both sites are dedicated to the same Hindu deity, which may point to rituals specific to this spot at Angkor. (Photograph courtesy of Dr. Elizabeth Moore, Department of Art and Archaeology, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.)
Description
This view of the Kapilapura mound on the perimeter of the ancient Cambodian site of Angkor Wat shows how nondescript this feature is at ground level. Detailed topography data collected by NASA's Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) instrument enabled JPL scientists to spot the mound and, subsequently, provide ground verification in December 1997. Inscriptions and temple remains on the mound date to the 10th century, long before the mid-12th century construction of Angkor Wat. The existence of Kapilapura shows that Angkor Wat was a sacred place long before the famous temple was built. Both sites are dedicated to the same Hindu deity, which may point to rituals specific to this spot at Angkor. (Photograph courtesy of Dr. Elizabeth Moore, Department of Art and Archaeology, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.)
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