An Apsara National Authority (ANA) official says the Angkor Ceramic Museum at Tani is planning to replicate ancient ceramics to promote ancestral work, pending approval by the Angkor International Coordinating Committee (ICC).

Cultural affairs department deputy director Seng Sotheara, who is managing the Angkor Ceramic Museum, told The Post on Sunday that his department plans to promote the ancient kiln project in the village by setting up ceramic workrooms to allow local people to re-create Cambodian ceramics.

He said the project would improve tourism which would benefit people’s lives whilst also commemorating the ancestral works.

“Tourist could come to visit, learn and understand about their value and take home a personal souvenir.

“This is just a place to showcase our wide variety of ceramics for visitors. They can see firsthand how they are made,” he said.

Sotheara said although the idea was in its infancy, the project will be submitted to the ICC for a decision. He expressed hope that the project will be rolled out by 2022.

ANA spokesman Long Kosal said the authority supports the project and will continue to push it forward.

He said the replication of ancient ceramics is a reminder of Khmer heritage and revitalises the work of Khmer ancestors.

“The purpose is to convey to the public the richness of ancient Khmer ceramics. We want to bring these ancient forms into the modern world to serve the living,” He said.

Thuy Chanthuon, an archaeologist, said the idea of the ceramics replica is a good thing since it gives us a glimpse into history.

He also said that tourist’s copies of the ceramics would not affect the form or rarity of the originals.

“The ceramics can be replicated but not duplicated because the originals are made from stone or bronze. Even if its exterior is 100 per cent copied everything inside is not the same.

“So copying from old works to new works is a good way to show-off ancient Khmer sculpture and art but without exactly copying it,” he said.