AI Is Creating A Surreal Future For These Historic Sites & Buildings

Past: Angkor Wat (12^th Century)

Deep in the Cambodian jungle outside Siem Reap, five mountain peaks loom up from across a small lake, its reflection giving the site an ethereal look. This breathtaking site is the Angkor Wat Temple, a relic of the Khmer Empire that once dominated the area from 802 to 1431 CE. Built under Emperor Suryavarman II (1113 – 1150), Angkor Wat was the crown jewel of the Khmer Empire’s religious and government complexes, serving as the capital of the Khmer Empire. Intricately carved relief of deities from Buddhist and Hindu traditions cover the site, from the walls of the temples to the five towers meant to symbolize Mount Meru. Originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, Angkor Wat was used for Buddhist practices after the 12^th Century. The temple was active as recently as the 1800s but years of neglect let nature reclaim it before becoming a popular tourist destination.