LASERS & LANDSCAPES: Revealing the secrets of a Khmer mystery
Technicians from the LIDAR and helicopter companies (McElhanney and Helistar) carefully work to set up the high-technology equipment until late hours after waiting for days its arrival in Phnom Penh from different corners of the world. Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Guided by GPSs and maps, a team of archaeologists verifies the LIDAR’s findings at Phnom Kulen mountain. Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.
A Buddhist monk performs a ceremony to bless the LIDAR helicopter during a refuelling stop at Bantey Chmar temple in Bantey Meanchey province.
The helicopter carrying a team of technicians in charge of operate the LIDAR technology during the archaeological surveys lands in rural Cambodia during a data acquisition flight. Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.
Marcel Jordi, a pilot for the Cambodian Archaeological Lidar Initiative (CALI) mission, flies over Bantey Chmar complex during the 2015 LIDAR data acquisition. This temple, known to be an important military settlement built by Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century, is one of the least studied temples from that period. Bantey Meanchey province, Cambodia.
In 2015 a Cambodian and international team embarked on the most extensive archaeological LIDAR mission to date. Children from nearby villages who came to witness the unusual sight at Kampong Thom’s Army Base, react with astonishment and fear as the LIDAR helicopter takes off.
Archaeologists Dr. Jean-Baptiste Chevance and Sakada Sakhoeun during a visit to Phnom Kulen’s O’Paong temple. Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.
Using a GPS unit, archaeologists compare the findings of the LIDAR data during a ground check expedition. Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.
Dr. Jean-Baptiste Chevance during an expedition in the jungles of Phnom Kulen. Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.
A pile of ceramics found in Phnom Kulen near a local Buddhist temple. Siem reap Province, Cambodia.
Archaeologists Dr. Jean-Baptiste Chevance and Sakada Sakhoeun, inspect maps from the Phnom Kulen area. Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.
A piece of Kulen ceramic found near an ancient crossroad in Phnom Kulen. Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.
A team of international and local archaeologists during an excavation in Phnom Kulen. Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.
A team of international and local archaeologists during an excavation in Phnom Kulen. Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.
Despite being an unusual temple due to its mismatched construction of recycled plain and decorated blocks, Banteay Torp remains one of Cambodia’s least studied temples from the late 12th century. Bantey Meanchey province, Cambodia.
An aerial view of rural Cambodia during the dry season. In order to increase the chances of obtaining good quality acquisitions, the CALI mission took place over the end of the Cambodian dry season, when the land is at its driest, the trees have lost most of their leaves, and there’s no clouds to interfere with the laser equipment. Cambodia.
