Archaeologists in Cambodia have made a significant discovery at the Angkor World Heritage Site near Siem Reap. A dozen centuries-old sandstone statues, depicting 'door guardians,' were unearthed near the north gate leading to the 11th-century Royal Palace at Angkor Thom, the former capital of the Khmer Empire. The statues, standing at attention, vary in size from about 1 meter to 110 centimeters and were found buried at depths of up to 1.4 meters.
Experts believe these statues exemplify the Khneang Style, dating back to the 11th-century palace construction period. The Angkor Archaeological Park, where the discovery was made, sprawls over 400 square kilometers and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, attracting over 500,000 international visitors in the first half of 2024.
The archaeological dig was a joint effort between the Apsara National Authority and the China-Cambodia Government Team for Safeguarding Angkor. Following the discovery, the statues were carefully documented, removed for cleaning and restoration, and will be returned to their original locations.
Cambodia has faced challenges in preserving its cultural heritage, with many artifacts looted during periods of civil unrest. Efforts to clean up the Angkor site have been criticized for displacing families, leading to concerns about human rights violations. The U.N.'s World Heritage Committee has recommended inviting a new team of experts to monitor the situation.
