Research Projects
“Scientists have become the bearers of the torch of discovery in our quest for knowledge.”
— Stephen Hawking
Cambodian Archaeological Lidar Initiativ (CALI)
Co-Lead Investigator with Damian Evans
CALI used innovative airborne laser scanning (‘lidar’) to uncover five previously undocumented urban landscapes in Cambodia. These surveys focused on the major temple complexes of Cambodia including Phnom Kulen, Sambor Prei Kuk, Banteay Chhmar, Preah Khan of Kompong Svay, and Longvek. We are now in the process of documenting, mapping, and ground-verifying the newly identified features.
This research is funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Grant Agreement No. 639828).
Koh Ker Archaeological Project (KKAP)
Lead Investigator
Koh Ker is a medieval city and archaeological site in present-day Cambodia. Angkor was the political center of the Khmer Empire (ca. 800 – 1400 CE) for over six centuries with the exception of approximately two decades in the mid-tenth century when political control shifted to Koh Ker (928-944 CE). Until recently, scholars believed that occupation at the site was limited to this brief period of two decades. However, imagery from remote sensing, survey, and preliminary archaeological investigations indicate a long sequence of occupation before and after the 10th century. The work also suggests that the two decades as the center of the Khmer Empire represents a brief demographic, architectural, and political florescence and ascendance marked by monumental building projects including the construction of temples and a palace. This research agenda includes the use of lidar imagery, ground penetrating radar, and excavations to gain insight into the nature of domestic occupation, the urban development of the city, the function of the water management system, and the regional interactions between Angkor and Koh Ker.
The project is conducted in collaboration with our colleagues at the National Authority of Preah Vihear (NAPV). This research is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Insight Development Grant and the Rust Family Foundation.
Khmer Archaeological Lidar Consortium (KALC)
Research Associate
In 2012, researchers from the KALC organized an acquisition of lidar data over 370 km2 of Angkor as well as the site of Koh Ker and Phnom Kulen. The lidar imagery revealed a complex urban the underlying ground surface of Angkor through dense vegetation. and uncovered a formally planned urban grid that helped define a more comprehensive understanding of the nature of urbanism at Angkor. In total, we’ve mapped over 20,000 newly identified archaeological features from the lidar data.
The project was supported and funded by the Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap (APSARA), the University of Sydney, the École française d’Extrême-Orient, Société Concessionaire d’Aéroport, the Hungarian Indochina Company, Japan-APSARA Safeguarding Angkor, the Archaeology and Development Foundation, and the World Monuments Fund. Corporate sponsors were McElhanney Indonesia and Helistar Cambodia. Additional funding was provided by the Simone and Cino Del Duca Foundation, the National Geographic Committee for Research and Exploration, the Australian Research Council, the Wenner-Gren Foundation, the Mohamed S. Farsi Foundation, the Robert Christie Foundation, and Far Horizons.
Greater Angkor Project (GAP)
Geographic Information System Analysis Research Associate
GAP consists of an international constellation of researchers working in the Greater Angkor Region. Directed by Roland Fletcher and the University of Sydney, GAP takes a multidisciplinary approach to studying the archaeology, history, heritage, and environment (past and present).
This project is funded by the Australian Research Council. My work within this project benefited from multiple funding sources including the National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Award, the Rust Family Foundation, a Grant-in-Aid of Research from Sigma Xi, and an Endeavour Fellowship from the Australian Department of Education and Training.