Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - French Angkor researchers return artefacts

French Angkor researchers return artefacts

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
146 cases of archeological fragments were handed to the Apsara National Authority for safekeeping on May 11. ANA

French Angkor researchers return artefacts

The Ecole francaise d’Extreme-Orient (EFEO), or French School of Asian Studies – a cooperative partner with the Apsara National Authority (ANA) – handed over 146 cases of archaeological pieces to the ANA for preservation. The pieces will also be inventoried.

On May 11, the EFEO handed over the pieces, including 11 wooden pillars and one inscription stone, to the ANA via the Angkor International Centre for Research and Documentation at the ANA headquarters.

The ANA, a body tasked with managing the Angkor Archaeological Park, said the pieces were found during excavations from 2012 to 2017 during the restoration of the West Mebon temple.

Tin Tina, deputy director of the research centre, said this was not the first time the EFEO had handed over artifacts it found in the West Mebon temple, noting that it was the sheer number that was astonishing.

He said EFEO is not the only institution that has handed over artifacts found during the restoration and research work in the Angkor Park.

“In general, all of the international institutions that do restoration work or study in the park pass their finds to the ANA when their research is complete,” he said.

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
The EFEO hands over 146 cases of archaeological pieces to the Apsara National Authority on May 11. ANA

He added that should one of these institutions request the materials back to conduct further research, the ANA would certainly allow it.

ANA spokesman Long Kosal told The Post that the artifacts would be identified and catalogued.

“All artifacts must be handed over to the ANA so we can register their forms and where they were found. In the future, we may be able to match them with new discoveries,” he said.

Kosal said the ANA is currently working with international partners from India, France, Korea, China, Japan, the US, Germany and several others to search for artifacts in each part of the Angkor Park.

“All of these partners cooperate with us. All of our international partners share their discoveries with us,” he said.

According to the ANA, the archeological exhibits shared by the EFEO are primarily fragments of ceramic, soil for analysis, sandstone fragments and metal fragments of iron, copper and brass. There was also a wax Buddha statue placed in a large pot that had been buried many years ago.

The West Mebon temple was built in the middle of the 11th century by King Udayadityavarman II between 1049-1066 on a small island in the middle of the West baray. It was dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Newest horror film showcases unique Khmer culture, identity

    At first glance, the trailer to new horror sensation The Ritual: Black Nun looks like a western-produced feature film. As the story reveals itself to the viewers, it becomes clearer that this is a Khmer film, with a strong Cambodian identity and close links to

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the