14 Mar
2017
14 Mar
'17
4:36 p.m.
I have returned from a recent trip to Thailand and Angkor Wat. Some of the buildings at Angkor Wat are in a wonderful state of preservation (partly due to huge maintenance efforts), Other ruins (there are several different building complexes within walking distance) are still partially rubble. One in particular was fascinating because a giant 1000-year-old serpentine tree has inserted itself in the rock walls. The result has a strange beauty, and certainly a fractal character. Archaeological recovery of the building/tree faces a philosophical obstacle, because now the tree is part of what needs to be preserved. I am sure the building will be renovated, almost certainly with the tree intact. Tim