Residential patterning at Angkor Wat

New evidence from Angkor Wat challenges traditional views of temple precincts, revealing that the large rectangular enclosure surrounding the temple was not exclusively reserved for the elite or priestly classes. LiDAR surveys and excavations have uncovered signs of low-density residential occupation, suggesting that these areas may have housed individuals servicing the temple rather than being solely sacred or reserved for the wealthy. This finding reshapes our understanding of the social hierarchy within Angkor Wat's community.

Stark, M. T., Evans, D., Rachna, C., Piphal, H., & Carter, A. (2015). Residential patterning at Angkor Wat. Antiquity, 89(348), 1439–1455. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2015.159