Old Myths and New Approaches: Interpreting Ancient Religious Sites in Souteast Asia

Brief Description: "Based on a conference of the same name..."--p. [ix]. Marc Notes: Conference papers.; Includes bibliographical references (p. [281]-301). Publisher Marketing: This book brings together the latest research by leading experts in their fields - from both mainland and peninsular Southeast Asia - who approach ancient religious sites from a range of perspectives and disciplines. The contributions cover sites from Burma, the early and Angkor-period Cambodia and Vietnam on the mainland to temples in Java and Bali, and subject matters from water and traffic management to usage of sites and the representation of sacredness in ancient texts. The book's three sections examine the interrelationship between the ancient religious sites and their wider surroundings, the actual physical remains, and the social relations to the surrounding community. The extensive range of sites and topics covered provide a detailed insight into the most up-to-date research approaches, and the book allows for a truly comparative, inter-disciplinary understanding of Southeast Asia in the pre-modern era. Through its exceptional approach, this volume will be invaluable to academics and students of historical Southeast Asia. (Monash Asia Series)