Angkor Wat: How the Khmer Empire Carved 10 Million Blocks to Build the World's Largest Temple

In 1122 CE, King Suryavarman II mobilised a workforce across the Khmer Empire, quarried 10 million sandstone blocks from mountains 35 km away, floated them down a jungle canal spotted by NASA satellite in 2011, and erected a 65-metre five-tower complex aligned to the spring equinox — all without iron tools, wheels, or mortar.

A daily 1-minute video series uncovering how the world's most iconic structures were built — from ancient wonders to modern skyscrapers.