Cambodia and Java

The Khmer empire (800–1300 AD circa) flourished in the northwest of Cambodia. The Khmer kings adopted the construction of gigantic temples as a means for the explicit representation of their power; as a consequence, a series of masterpieces—the so called “state temples”—were constructed. Among them, Angkor Wat singles out in being one of the hugest temples ever built on planet earth. The archaeoastronomy of Angkor Wat and of the other temples of Angkor is discussed, as well as the visual, symbolic relationships which connect them. The orientation of the peripheral temples of Kok Ker and Preah Khan of Kampong sway is also discussed. Moving to Java, the chapter ends with a discussion of Borobudur and its astronomical connection with its satellite temples.