APSARA technicians are working diligently on the 24-metre long balustrade located in Banteay Samre temple’s northeast section. ANA
In the heart of Cambodia, the APSARA National Authority’s stone conservation team is painstakingly piecing together the fragments of history.
Their current mission is the restoration of the naga balustrade, a significant feature of the Banteay Samre temple which has been in ruins for a considerable time.
Long Kosal, ANA’s spokesperson, gave an update on July 25, confirming that the team of technicians is working diligently on the 24-metre long balustrade located in the temple’s northeast section.
This restoration is a testament to the team’s ongoing commitment to preserve and enhance the cultural value of the Banteay Samre temple. The works, Kosal assures, will not impede the temple’s footfall of visitors.
There remains some uncertainty over the completion date, but the temple remains open, with the repairs restricted to a specific section.
“Not just the Banteay Samre temple, all the temples at Angkor are part of our focused and phased approach towards restoration and maintenance,” Kosal said.
Long Nary, head of the stone conservation team from the Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology, provided an insight into the team’s methods. For nearly two months, they have been gathering fragments of the original Naga balustrade, both large and small, from various locations, striving to limit the need for new stones.
“The introduction of new stone pieces is a last resort, used only when original pieces can’t be found. The naga balustrades of the Banteay Samre temple have for years suffered from a weak foundation structure, the onslaught of natural elements, and a lack of maintenance,” Nary explained.
The restoration process is intricate, the conservationist explained. Initially, the team focuses on disassembling the severely damaged old pedestals and the naga sculpture, which were at risk of collapse. The task includes drilling to connect the naga sculpture pieces.
After ensuring safety, they move to the next steps. The team reinforces decayed stone surfaces, fills tiny holes and cracks with mortar, cleans moss, neutralises the salt residue on the stone surfaces, removes old iron and cement, and finally reinstalls the Naga balustrade in its original position.
This meticulous process assures that every piece of the temple’s history is given its due respect, paving the way for future generations to appreciate this marvel of the past.
