Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - ANA, Canadian team excavating temple’s platform east of Bayon

ANA, Canadian team excavating temple’s platform east of Bayon

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
A team excavates an old temple in the Angkor Thom complex, some 200m east of the 12th-century Bayon. ANA

ANA, Canadian team excavating temple’s platform east of Bayon

The Angkor Vihara Project of Canada’s University of Toronto is excavating an old temple in the Angkor Thom complex, some 200m east of the 12th-century Bayon, in collaboration with APSARA National Authority (ANA), according to the latter.

In a February 9 statement, ANA said the project is being carried out “to understand the role of structures and the role of the ancient platform of the terrace in the west next to the platform of the Buddhist temple”, determine their ages, and “find out about the evolution of Buddhism in the late Angkorian period”.

Citing Angkor Vihara Project director Andrew Harris, the statement noted that this is the third excavation project on the temple, and includes “a study on the role, function, and age of the other platform, which was separated from the ancient Buddhist temple construction, and in particular, to understand the use of the construction of the temple with the community.

“Harris explained the findings, such as the discovery of fragment tiles on the terrace platform, which proved that there was a tiled wooden structure, in addition to pieces of Khmer and Chinese ceramics, which are evidence of use during the Angkorian period. The team also encountered evidence of the use of post-Angkorian ceramics – 16th to 17th centuries – in layers near this site.

“In addition, they also found traces of water flowing in and out of a large pond nearby in front of the structure.

“According to previous research, it was estimated that the number of Buddhist temples on the walls of Angkor Thom was between 62 and 72.

“But until now, there was little research on the mounds of those temples and it was a new topic for national and international research teams to work together to better understand the society of the Khmer ancestors in the capital of Angkor in the late Angkor and post-Angkor period,” it added.

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom

  • PM warns of int’l election interference

    With the national election scheduled to take place in less than two months, Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned foreign nations and their diplomats not to interfere into Cambodia’s domestic affairs. He also hinted that their statements on court verdicts handed down to any