A groundbreaking LiDAR survey conducted during a record-low water season has revealed a previously unknown Pre-Angkorian metropolis hidden beneath the silt and waters of Cambodia’s Tonle Sap lake. The city, which dates back to the 6th century, features a complex grid of elevated stone platforms and timber pile foundations, suggesting a highly sophisticated civilization that lived entirely on the water.
This 'Floating City' includes several ceremonial centers, water-management canals, and residential districts that supported an estimated population of 50,000. Scholars believe this site was a pivotal maritime hub for the Chenla Kingdom, serving as a primary link for riverine trade before the consolidation of the Khmer Empire at Angkor.