Visualising Angkor: Part 2 - A New Reconstruction of Angkor Wat

Since 2015, Monash University has been developing a virtual model to interrogate how the complex might have functioned in the 12th Century. This virtual world is made of digital reconstructions of architecture and cultural landscapes.

A complementary objective is to consider the operation of Angkor Wat through the dynamic animation of moving crowds of people. In this immersive analytic study of the complex, the paths of thousands of walking agents (animated characters with autonomous behaviours) are tracked as they enter, exit and circulate within the temple enclosure.

In contrast to archaeological studies that plot change over decades or centuries, this simulation focuses on 24 hours; a day in the life of medieval Angkor Wat.

Agent paths at Angkor Wat

This sequence illustrates the mechanics of the simulation by subtracting ephemeral architecture and vegetation, and rendering the temple architecture in x-ray style.

The web of intersecting and branching lines sprawling over the visualisation represents the paths agents have taken as they navigate between destinations.

Agents crossing the western causeway on their way into the temple complex

The principal entry to Angkor Wat is via a causeway built across the moat. By crossing the causeway visitors, pilgrims and the workforce are transported from the profane to the sacred.

The timeline at the base of the screen denotes the time of day (11am in this simulation) and a map overlay at the upper right of the screen indicates the position of the virtual camera with a yellow circle.

Aerial camera over residences in Angkor Wat's 4th enclosure

This aerial view moves over the southwest corner of the Angkor Wat enclosure. As the camera glides toward the central towers of Angkor Wat, fragments of traditional music ensembles can be heard emanating from the residences.

(Music courtesy John Garzoli, 2011 field recording of traditional music ensemble in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand).

A sovereign and his minister walk past the bas-reliefs of the 3rd enclosure western galleries, their retainers following with folded parasols

The bas-reliefs of the 3rd enclosure rank among the great achievements of Angkorian sculpture covering almost 1000 square metres. The subjects range from the Brahmanic (Hindu) epic tales to royal processions.

A high-ranking official being carried along the causeway of the 4th enclosure by his retainers

This scene is based upon illustrations of processions the bas-reliefs of Angkor Wat, Banteay Chmar and the Bayon. The animation features 3D scanned guardian lions in the foreground; courtesy of Scan the World/MyMiniFactory.
Sound recording courtesy of Patrick Kersalé (www.soundsofangkor.org).

An architect inspects the ongoing work of decorative sculpture under scaffolding

After the sandstone blocks of the temple were positioned, their surfaces were decorated by carving the facade with chisels, drills, and polishing tools. Many surfaces were also painted and gilded. The simulation features multiple scaffolding frameworks at various locations in the 3rd and 4th enclosures.

Elephants waiting outside eastern side of 3rd enclosure of Angkor Wat

Animated agents sitting in groups pass the time as elephants and parasol bearers await their superiors at the eastern entry to the 3rd enclosure. Elephants are commonly represented in the sculpture of Angkor, especially at the Terrace of the Elephants in Angkor Thom. In addition to denoting wealth and power, elephants were used in war and as pack animals.

A view along a thoroughfare of the 4th enclosure of Angkor Wat

Residents sweep the road leading to the south gate of the 4th enclosure. In 2013, an airborne laser survey (LiDAR) discovered a grid pattern of roads and small ponds, suggesting a regular layout of substantial and dispersed wooden dwellings. In this simulation residents go about their daily life in between the wooden dwellings of the 4th enclosure of Angkor Wat.

The moat of Angkor Wat

In this scene, residents in canoes gather up water plants from the moat of Angkor Wat. The south gate (gopura) of the 4th enclosure is in the background. Moats are a common feature of Angkorian architecture and symbolically designate the sacred area of the temple. It is likely the moat also served to supply the temple with water-grown plants like lotus.

Looking west towards a virtual setting sun with a silhouetted model of Angkor Wat in the foreground

Angkor Wat was orientated to the cardinal directions and also contained additional astronomical alignments. Viewed from the western causeway in the 4th enclosure, on the spring equinox of each year, the sun rises directly over the central tower of Angkor Wat.

360 View - Outside the western gates of Angkor Wat, the main entry point for tourists visiting the temple today

The principal entry to Angkor Wat is via a causeway built across the moat. By crossing the causeway visitors, pilgrims and the workforce are transported from the profane to the sacred.

360 View - Residences in the 4th enclosure of Angkor Wat

In 2013, an airborne laser survey (LiDAR) discovered a grid pattern of roads and small ponds, suggesting a regular layout of substantial and dispersed wooden dwellings. In this simulation residents go about their daily life in between the wooden dwellings of the 4th enclosure of Angkor Wat.

360 View - The western bas-relief galleries of the 3rd enclosure of Angkor Wat

The late afternoon sun casts long shadows on the paved sandstone floor of the 3rd enclosure galleries of Angkor Wat. The receding figures of the sovereign and his retainers can be glimpsed walking away from the camera to the left.

The bas-reliefs of the 3rd enclosure rank among the great achievements of Angkorian sculpture covering almost 1000 square metres. The subjects range from the Brahmanic (Hindu) epic tales to royal processions.