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The Poisoned Wells of Angkor: Did Warfare Pollute the Water?
Season 3
Episode 114
Published 1 month, 2 weeks ago
Description
Lucas and Luna explore a lesser-known theory for the Khmer Empire's collapse: biological warfare and water contamination. In 1431, as Ayutthayan forces besieged Yasodharapura, did they intentionally poison the city's reservoirs, or did the massive death toll from battle and disease corrupt the water supply? The episode examines the evidence from the siege, the city's intricate water management system, and accounts from the Ming shi lu. They discuss how corpses in the barays could have spread cholera and typhoid, contributing to the abandonment of Angkor. A specific focus on the West Baray and the role of the Tonle Sap river system adds fresh context.