JSA 4.2 (2018) 176–200 ISSN (print) 2055-348X https://doi.org/10.1558/jsa.35712 ISSN (online) 2055-3498 RESEARCH ARTICLE Solstice Alignments at Angkor Wat and Nearby Temples: Connecting to the Cycles of Time William F. Romain Independent scholar romainwf@aol.com Abstract: Built in the early twelfth century AD, Angkor Wat is one of the world’s largest ancient religious structures. Each year, thousands of visitors make the pilgrimage to Angkor Wat to witness the equinox sunrise over the temple’s lotus-shaped towers. In addition to the equinox alignment, however, there are other alignments at Angkor Wat and many of the surrounding temples. In this article, multiple solstice alignments are identifed for Angkor Wat and 11 nearby temples: Bakong, Phnom Bakheng, Phnom Bok, Phnom Krom, East Mebon, Pre Rup, Banteay Srei, Ta Keo, Baphuon, Preah Khan and Bayon. Subsequent to ground and aerial reconnaissance of the above sites, archaeoastronomical assessments were made using Google Earth Pro, with solstice azimuths calculated using standard protocols. More than 70 solstice alignments were thus identifed. The multiplicity of solstice alignments, combined with other data, suggest that it was important for Angkor temples to be connected to the Sun. If, as endorsed here, Angkor temples were microcosmic models of the cosmos, then arguably, solstice alignments connected the temples to the cyclic movement of the cosmos as manifested by the solar cycle. Keywords: Angkor Wat; Angkor Thom; Khmer; Preah Khan of Kompong Svay; solstice alignments Introduction The purpose of this paper is to explore the idea that Angkor Wat and nearby temples incorporate solstice alignments in their designs. This follows on and complements the fndings of equinox and zenith Sun alignments reported for Angkor sites by others. The paper begins with a brief introduction to the Angkor area, followed by a short discus- sion of Angkor architectural designs and then an account of the methods used for the archaeoastronomical site assessments that are provided in the Results section. These