PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — In an exciting discovery, archaeologists in Cambodia have uncovered 12 ancient sandstone statues at the Angkor World Heritage Site, located near Siem Reap, local authorities announced on Wednesday.
These statues, known as “door guardians,” were found last week near the north gate that leads to the 11th-century Royal Palace of Angkor Thom, which served as the final capital of the Khmer Empire. Long Kosal, a spokesman for the Apsara National Authority—responsible for the preservation and oversight of the archaeological park—shared these details.
The discovery occurred while teams were assessing the structural integrity of the ancient north gate and searching for fallen stones nearby. The statues stand guard at attention, varying in size from approximately 1 meter to 110 centimeters (around 39 to 43 inches). According to archaeologist Sorn Chanthorn, they were unearthed at depths of up to 1.4 meters (4.5 feet) and are notably well-preserved, featuring distinctive facial hair ornaments that add character to each piece.
The Apsara National Authority noted that experts believe these door guardian statues exhibit the Khneang Style, aligning with the era of the palace’s construction in the 11th century.
Angkor Thom is part of the expansive Angkor Archaeological Park, which covers around 400 square kilometers (155 square miles) and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. This area is recognized as one of Southeast Asia’s most frequented tourist destinations, showcasing the ruins of Khmer Empire capitals from the 9th to 15th centuries, including the renowned temple of Angkor Wat.
Situated near Siem Reap, approximately 200 miles (320 kilometers) northwest of Phnom Penh, the site welcomed over 500,000 international visitors in the first half of 2024, according to data from Cambodia’s Tourism Ministry.
The archaeological excavation was a joint effort involving the Apsara National Authority and the China-Cambodia Government Team for Safeguarding Angkor.
After discovering the statues, the excavation team meticulously documented their positions before proceeding with their cleaning and restoration. Authorities confirmed that these statues will eventually be returned to their original locations within the site.
It’s important to note that many of Cambodia’s cultural treasures were looted during the prolonged period of civil unrest and instability, particularly during the oppressive rule of the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Fortunately, Cambodia has seen a recent trend in the return of stolen art and archaeological artifacts from institutions around the world. In August, the country celebrated the return of dozens of artifacts from museums and private collections overseas.
However, Cambodia has also faced criticism regarding its cleanup efforts at the Angkor site, with Amnesty International condemning the relocation of thousands of families as a “gross violation of international human rights law.” In response to ongoing concerns, the U.N.’s World Heritage Committee recommended in July that Cambodia invite a new team of experts to assess the situation.
