Authorities have covered over what they believe is an ancient burial site in Takeo province’s Angkor Borei district after residents were finding gold and pearl jewellery in dirt dug up by road workers, officials said yesterday.

Hundreds of people had flocked the area in Prek Phtorl commune’s Kampong Pou village, where a new road is being built, after villagers reported stumbling upon the treasures.

Villager Chea Peuy, 35, said the area was not known for its natural minerals, but he was more than happy to enjoy the treasures being found.

“I’ve been able find a small amount of gold and can sell it for tens of thousands of riel,” he said. “Others have been able to find even more.”

Angkor Borei District Governor Sav Hor said human bones had also been unearthed at the site, which authorities believe was a former royal palace site.

“We also found clay pots there from hundreds of years ago.”

Moul Huon, district police chief of Angkor Borei, said that villagers were left disappointed yesterday after authorities made the decision to fill in holes at the site.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kim Sarum at [email protected]