Cambodia’s ‘Tomb Raider Temple’ gives up ancient secrets
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Phnom Penh Post/ANN) -– Specialists from the APSARA National Authority (ANA) found more than they bargained for during a recent excavation, with more than 100 pieces of sandstone sculptures uncovered.
The ANA’s Department of Preservation and Archaeology was conducting the removal of built-up soil from south of the laterite stone wall of Ta Prohm Temple’s third enclosure, while cataloguing each of the stone fragments they discovered.
Ta Prohm is one of the most well-known of the Kingdom’s ancient temples, with the unique combination of soaring trees growing from the crumbling, yet still majestic stones lending an air of romantic exploration. It is sometimes referred to as the “Tomb Raider Temple,” thanks to the fame it enjoyed as a location for Angelina Jolie’s 2001 eponymous film.
As the soil removal progressed, an unexpected number of significant pieces of ornate carvings were unearthed, some of them buried in as little as 10 to 15 centimeters of soil.
According
to ANA
archaeologist
Neth Simon, the team recognized the importance of their finds, and immediately sought permission to expand the dig site.
With the approval of the ANA leadership, more serious excavations were undertaken, leading to a treasure trove of rare pieces. Many of the statues are up to 50cm in height, and almost complete. A total of over 100 pieces have been identified, and are currently being measured, weighed and assessed.
According to Simon, some of the sculptures include seated and standing Buddhas, along with Nagas, the spiritual snake-like guardian of ancient Khmer legend.
She explained that although unconfirmed, many of the ANA’s experts have speculated that the statues were carved in the Bayon style, dating from the late 12th or early 13th century.
Long Kosal, ANA spokesperson, noted that there are many places in the park where fragments of ancient statues have been found. The pieces remain as clues to the daily lives of people from ancient times.
“We don’t know what remains under the earth in this area. This is why it is necessary to preserve the location,” he said. *Asia News Network (ANN) is the leading regional alliance of news titles striving to bring the region closer, through an active sharing of editorial content on happenings in the region. Born as a grouping of nine media titles in March 1999, ANN now includes 23 leading titles, based in major capitals of the region. The network’s members hail from the 10 Southeast Asian economies as well as several other locations in East and South Asia. Twenty one years after the existence of the voluntary alliance, members of the grouping agreed to formally register it as a company limited by guarantee in Singapore, in February 2020. With the formation of the new company — Asia News Network Ltd — the grouping will widen its activities to include joint projects, webinars and events. ANN was formed to promote the coverage of Asian affairs through Asian journalists, for readers in Asia. Given the growing significance of the region, and interest in the work of its titles, ANN will seek to meet the needs of a wider audience. Our website is www.asianews.network.