APSARA National Authority (ANA) experts have re-installed the sandstone window pillars of the second gallery of Angkor Wat temple, following their repair off site, said the authority.
In a June 22 social media post, the ANA explained that each pillar is 1.72m tall, and weighs more than 60kg. They had suffered damage and fallen in recent years, hence the need for repairs.
Soy Sophearith, an archaeologist and conservation agent at Angkor Wat from the ANA’s Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology, said his team had been working to repair the sandstone pillars since early April.
He said the repairs began with collecting large and small fragments to use for the reassembly, in order to use original materials as much as possible.
Sophearin added that the repairs were carried out by dedicated specialists, who used appropriate techniques that will ensure the pillars are as close as possible to the originals, and will stand safely for a long time.
The ICC-Angkor's adhoc expert group for conservation added that the salt removal, cementing and reinforcing work that was carried out met the highest recognised standards.
