A Sandstone Statue in Front of Southern Library of Phnom Bakheng Temple Being Restored

Stone conservation experts of the Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology of the APSARA National Authority have been restoring a sandstone statue in front of the southern library of Phnom Bakheng Temple, the authority said in a news release on Mar. 29. Mr. Soy Sophearin, a stone conservation expert, said that the statue had been severely damaged, such as the head, arms, and right leg, making it impossible for the experts to identify the statue. 'As for the time and cause of the statue's collapse, we do not know for sure. However, based on the remaining cement traces, we know that this statue was once restored by the EFEO,' he added. Currently, the news release pointed out, the experts of APSARA National Authority are renovating many parts, such as studying the foundation, checking the pedestal, and repairing the cracked foot on the right side with stainless steel to reconnect the foot. To restore this ancient sandstone statue, the experts also have to carve new stones to replac e the missing ones, the same source added. Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse