New aerial Lidar surveys over the Angkor Wat complex in Cambodia have revealed an incredibly complex network of canals, dikes, and reservoirs that were previously hidden by dense forest. The data suggests that the Khmer Empire utilized a highly advanced form of 'hydraulic engineering' to manage seasonal monsoon floods and provide year-round irrigation.
This discovery explains how the civilization sustained a population of nearly one million people at its peak. Researchers say the system demonstrates a profound understanding of topography and fluid dynamics, integrating religious architecture with essential infrastructure.