Angkor Wat – A Transcultural History of Heritage

Angkor Wat's modern heritage status is the product of complex, interconnected colonial, postcolonial, and global narratives. This study reveals how European and Asian projects shaped its perception over 150 years, from 1860s 'discovery' to its UNESCO World Heritage designation in 1992. It challenges conventional histories by examining physical representations—like plaster casts and hybrid pavilions—as well as on-site restoration efforts during Cambodia's turbulent decolonization (1953–89). Through over 1,400 illustrations, the work traces Angkor Wat's transformation from a French-colonial 'Orientalist' symbol to a global icon of national identity. The research method combines archival analysis with visual documentation, offering a transcultural framework that redefines heritage formation.

Falser, M. (2019). Angkor Wat – A Transcultural History of Heritage. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110335842