manusya 23 (2020) 253-285 brill.com/mnya Analysis of the Khmer Walled Defensive System of Vimayapura (Phimai City, Thailand): Symbolism or Military Effectiveness? Víctor Lluís Pérez Garcia1 (บิกตอร์ ยูอิส เปเรซ การ์เซีย) Ph.D. in Archaeology, history teacher of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Institut Tarragona, Tarragona, Spain
[email protected] Abstract This article analyses the walled defensive system of the Khmer city centre of Vimaya- pura (modern Phimai, Thailand) to evaluate the theoretical level of military effectivity of both the walls and the moats against potential attackers, considering their technical characteristics and the enemy’s weapons. We also study the layout of the urban en- ceinte, the constructive material, the gateways as well as weakness and strengths of the stronghold and the symbolic, monumental and ornamental functions in the overall role of the walls. Based on comparisons with similar cases, as well as in situ observa- tions of the archaeological remains and a bibliographical research, our study reveals that the stonewalls were not designed primarily to resist military attacks. Instead, the army, the moat, and possibly the embankments and/or palisades would have been the first lines of defence of the city. Keywords fortifications – city walls – military architecture – Thailand – South-East Asia 1 Member of the “Seminary of Ancient Topography” archaeological research group at Universi- tat Rovira i Virgili of Tarragona (Catalonia). www.victorperez.webs.com. © Víctor Lluís Pérez Garcia, 2020 | doi:10.1163/26659077-02302006