Khmer Origins, Foundations of the Angkor Empire

Khmer Origins: Foundations of the Angkor Empire is an immersive journey into the world that existed before Angkor—the forgotten centuries of rivers, myths, migrations, spirit cults, and early states that shaped one of humanity's most extraordinary civilizations. Through cinematic narrative and rigorous research, this volume reveals how the Mekong, Tonlé Sap, and their dynamic landscapes forged a people whose mastery of water, ritual, trade, and kingship would ultimately give rise to Angkor's golden age. From the legend of the Naga Princess Soma to the global trade networks of Funan and the inland consolidation of Chenla, this book uncovers the hidden roots of Khmer identity with unprecedented depth and clarity. Written for scholars, enthusiasts, and general readers alike, Khmer Origins brings to life the ancient ancestors of the Khmer—fisherfolk, farmers, shamans, architects, and early kings—whose innovations in agriculture, hydrology, cosmology, and statecraft laid the groundwork for Southeast Asia's greatest empire. This is more than a history book; it is the opening chapter of a sweeping epic that spans twenty volumes, revealing a civilization born not from stone alone but from the waters, rituals, and sacred landscapes of a world long forgotten.