Cambodian archaeologists discover a dozen centuries-old sandstone statues at Angkor UNESCO site

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Archaeologists successful Cambodia person unearthed a twelve centuries-old sandstone statues successful a “remarkable discovery” astatine nan Angkor World Heritage Site adjacent nan metropolis of Siem Reap, authorities said Wednesday.

The statues — depicting alleged “door guardians” — were discovered past week adjacent nan northbound gross starring to nan 11th-century Royal Palace astatine Angkor Thom, nan past superior of nan Khmer Empire, said Long Kosal, spokesperson for nan Apsara National Authority, nan authorities agency that oversees nan archaeological park.

Teams were assessing nan ancient gate's building and searching for fallen stones astir nan portal connected nan northbound broadside of Angkor Thom, 1 of 4 entrances to nan complex, erstwhile nan find was made.

The statues picture guardians opinionated astatine attraction and alteration successful size from astir 1 metre to 110 centimeters, aliases astir 39 to 43 inches. They were recovered buried astatine depths of up to 1.4 meters (4.5 feet) and immoderate are successful amazingly bully shape, pinch each featuring unsocial facial hairsbreadth ornaments, adding to their distinctiveness, archaeologist Sorn Chanthorn said.

“Experts judge these doorway guardian statues exemplify nan Khneang Style, aligning pinch nan building play of nan 11th-century palace.” nan Apsara National Authority said.

Angkor Thom is portion of nan Angkor Archaeological Park, a analyzable that sprawls complete immoderate 400 quadrate kilometers (155 quadrate miles), named a UNESCO World Heritage Site successful 1992 and 1 of Southeast Asia's astir celebrated tourer destinations.

It contains nan ruins of Khmer Empire capitals from nan 9th to 15th centuries, including nan temple of Angkor Wat.

The site, adjacent Siem Reap, astir 200 miles (320 kilometers) northwest of nan capital, Phnom Penh, drew much than 500,000 world visitors successful nan first half of 2024, according to Cambodia’s Tourism Ministry.

The archaeological excavation was a collaborative task betwixt Apsara and nan China-Cambodia Government Team for Safeguarding Angkor, Apsara said.

Following nan find of nan statues, nan archaeological squad cautiously documented their positions earlier removing them for cleaning and restoration. They will yet beryllium returned to their original locations, authorities said.

Many Khmer taste treasures were looted during nan agelong play of civilian warfare and instability erstwhile Cambodia was ruled by nan sadistic communist Khmer Rouge authorities successful nan 1970s.

Cambodia has benefited from a inclination that successful caller decades has seen nan repatriation of creation and archaeological treasures taken from their homelands. In August, it celebrated nan return of dozens of artifacts from museums and backstage collections abroad.

It has besides come nether criticism for efforts to cleanable up nan Angkor site, which has progressive relocating thousands of families successful what Amnesty International has condemned arsenic a “gross usurpation of world quality authorities law.”

At its gathering successful July, nan U.N.'s World Heritage Committee recommended that Cambodia induce a caller squad of experts to show nan situation.