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The colossal Baphuon temple was most likely also begun under Suryavarman's reign, to then be completed by his successor, Udayadityavarman. The Baphuon is notable as Angkor Thom's largest "mountain-temple." There is then a sandstone causeway - about 200 metres long - formed as a sort of bridge with long paving stones laid on three lines of short columns, followed - perhaps as a result of some miscalculation - by a 5.5 metre wide dike, formed as an embankment between two lateral walls. Another of this temple's remarkable characteristics is its sculptural decor: framed scenes of daily life or myth, touching in their small detail and naivety. Abandoned as a capital city, Angkor saw its population numbers plunge, its infrastructures fall into ruin. The forest was to overcome a good part of the city. Yet in those places still inhabited, architectural modifications for the Buddhist cult could take on spectacular dimensions. Abandoned as a capital city, Angkor saw its population numbers plunge, its infrastructures fall into ruin. The forest was to overcome a good part of the city. Yet in those places still inhabited, architectural modifications for the Buddhist cult could take on spectacular dimensions. |
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