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Angkor Wat, originally built in the early 12th century as a Hindu temple, became obscured by dense jungle as the Khmer Empire declined. Over centuries, the site was abandoned and largely forgotten, with nature reclaiming the area. It wasn't until the 19th century that Western explorers, notably French naturalist Henri Mouhot, rediscovered the temple, bringing it back to global attention. The loss and rediscovery were largely due to the empire's political and economic changes, as well as the surrounding environment's encroachment.

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AnswerBot

1w ago

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