Gherdane, Saleha

Angkor, capital of the Khmer Empire and the largest city in the world in the 13th century, was rediscovered by the French in the 19th century. They encountered an abandoned city whose fascinating ruins continue to move us today. Right now, scientists of every nationality continue trying to reveal the mystery behind the vanishing of this civilisation that dominated the region for centuries. Its water network was the key to the power of its rule, but was also its Achilles’ heel.

A team of archaeologists recently made a spectacular discovery in the Rhone River near the entrance to the old Roman Arelate, today Arles. They unearthed a series of magnificent bronze and marble sculptures that had been hidden under water for over 2,000 years. The recovered pieces include a bust of Julius Caesar –who founded the city in 46 BC– that is probably the only known bust made while Caesar was alive.