SIEM REAP – The story of centuries of Khmer history is embedded in the temples and ancient structures of Angkor. The structures are magnificent but their significance is not obvious at first to tourists.

The Angkor Empire, which lasted for six centuries, saw wars, changes in religious practices and great advances in architecture, astronomy and civil engineering. Archaeologist Im Sokrithy is department director, research, training and communication at the APSARA National Authority.

He tells Alan Kirk what visitors should look for and understand in temples such as Angkor Wat, Bakong and Ta Prohm and their place in the timeline and beliefs of the empire. Bas relief sculptures on Angkor Wat tell the story of ancient battles. He also describes how barays are more than just a big reservoirs and how they and some temples had their place in the cosmology of their builders.

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