Study finds Angkor among world’s largest cities in 13th century

2026-03-18 - 05:40

Angkor, home to the famed Angkor Wat, was one of the most populous urban centres in the world during the 13th century, with an estimated 700,000 to 900,000 residents, according to research cited by Silpawattanatham. The findings, based on a study published in Science Advances in May 2021, suggest that the medieval city in northwestern Cambodia rivalled or exceeded the population of many modern cities. The estimate surpasses, for comparison, the population of Boston, which had around 693,000 residents in 2019. The study, titled “Diachronic modeling of the population within the medieval Greater Angkor Region settlement complex,” combined three decades of archaeological data with advanced technologies, including LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), radiocarbon dating and machine learning algorithms. Angkor Wat, Cambodia Researchers used LiDAR scanning to map the broader Angkor landscape beyond its central monuments, revealing previously hidden infrastructure such as roads, canals and wooden structures. The technology also enabled analysis of terrain variations, helping identify features such as reservoirs and settlement patterns. Alison K. Carter, a co-lead researcher from the University of Oregon, said the technology allowed the team to better understand the city’s topography and reconstruct its development over time. The results indicate that Angkor’s population peaked in the 13th century, making it one of the largest cities globally in that era. Researchers also noted that the methodology could be applied to other archaeological sites. Historical studies suggest Angkor developed as an agricultural and trade-based city. Early inhabitants cultivated rice and other crops, while population density later increased in the urban core. The city centre was home to elites, artisans, performers, priests and teachers who played key roles in governance and cultural life. Meanwhile, communities along roads and waterways were believed to engage in trade. Bayon Temple with giant stone faces, Angkor Wat, Cambodia Population estimates for Angkor have long been debated. In the 19th century, French explorer Henri Mouhot cited large figures for the Khmer Empire, though without systematic calculation. Later, archaeologist Bernard-Philippe Groslier estimated around 1.9 million people in the wider Angkor region during the 12th century, while a 2001 estimate by E. Lustig suggested about 750,000 residents. Miriam T. Stark, a co-author of the latest study, said understanding Angkor’s population and urban system could provide insights for modern city planning, particularly in the context of climate change. As a tropical city that endured for centuries despite political and environmental shifts, Angkor offers lessons on the limits and resilience of urban development, the study noted.