Angkor

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Explore, through science, the mysteries of ancient Angkor, long obscured by the encroaching forests of Southeast Asia.

The vast metropolis of Angkor, now shrouded by jungle in present-day Cambodia, was once the center of one of the greatest empires the world has ever seen. Enormous monuments to the gods, such as the temple of Angkor Wat, once towered over sprawling cities made of wood which, over the centuries, have vanished almost without a trace.

The reasons for the precipitous decline of Angkor, and the cultural resilience of the Khmer people who built it, have fascinated scientists for 150 years. Thanks to new advances in science and technology—including ground excavations, aerial mapping, and modern remote sensing—we are finally coming to terms with the vast scope and accomplishments of this once-mighty empire.

In this exhibition produced by MuseumsPartner, you'll have the opportunity to explore the art and artifacts of ancient Angkor through the lens of science. Experience how each period of exploration and discovery—equipped with the cutting-edge tools of the day—has expanded our knowledge of this civilization. Through the lens of Khmer culture, discover the meaning and significance of what science has revealed, and the foundation of Angkor’s enduring resilience.

In this unique collaboration between scientists, anthropologists, and art historians, the exhibition presents more than a hundred of the most outstanding works produced by the Angkorian civilization, many of which have never before travelled outside of Cambodia. Angkor reunites masterpieces recovered after decades of war and looting, and presents arrangements of statues in an immersive scenography revealing the size, majesty, and significance of the monument's configuration not seen for a thousand years. 

Presenting Sponsor
George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation

Exhibit Sponsors
I.J. and Jeanné Wagner Charitable Foundation
Janet Quinney Lawson Foundation
Lawrence T. & Janet T. Dee Foundation

Community Sponsors
Clark and Nancy Giles Special Exhibition Endowed Fund
Marriner S. Eccles Foundation

Institutional Support
Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks