Statue returned to temple
AN ANCIENT lion statue that was dug out earlier this week in Banteay Meanchey’s Thma Puok district has been returned to Banteay Chhmar temple, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts said.
Earlier this week, officials of the Department of Protection and Conservation of Ancient Constructions unearthed a larger-than-life lion statue during an excavation at a reservoir inside the Banteay Chhmar temple complex.
The recovered statue stands over 2m high and is about 70cm wide. It was found at a depth of about 1.5m.
“First, the archaeologists found the feet of the lion attached to the base. They continued digging and found that fortunately, the lion was in good condition.
“The tail and the legs were damaged, but only slight ly,” Pra k Sunnara, secretar y of state in charge of archaeolog y and excavation at the Ministr y of Culture and Fine Arts, said on Tuesday.
He said a team of technicians from the ministry cleaned the statue and proceeded to place it in its original location.
Sunnara told The Post that pieces of two similar figures were found at the site.
The three lion statues were built in the style of Bayon in the late 12th century to early 13th century, during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. After hundreds of years guarding the temple, the lions collapsed into the reservoir and sunk in the mud.
Department head Kou Vit told Fresh News that the lion was bigger than similar statues recovered in recent years. It is decorated with ancient designs and floral motifs. “It is full of strength and courage,” he said.
The authorities have not revealed its weight, but villagers who helped unearth the statue say it could weigh up to two tonnes.
Vit said the reservoir could contain many other valuable artefacts.