Ancient Statues Unearthed at Cambodia’s Angkor UNESCO Site

In a significant archaeological discovery, Cambodian experts unearthed twelve sandstone statues near the north gate of the 11th-century Royal Palace at Angkor Thom, a key site within the Angkor UNESCO World Heritage region. These “door guardian” statues, ranging from 1 to 1.1 meters in height, were buried 1.4 meters deep and display distinctive Khneang-style facial ornaments. The excavation was conducted by the Apsara National Authority in collaboration with the China-Cambodia Government Team for Safeguarding Angkor. The statues, believed to be over 900 years old, are crucial for understanding Cambodia’s historical architecture and cultural practices. Plans are underway to clean and restore the statues before returning them to their original locations within the Angkor complex. This discovery underscores the importance of ongoing preservation efforts to safeguard Cambodia’s cultural treasures for future generations.