APSARA National Authority to complete the restoration of 23 pillars at Preah Poan Gallery of Angkor Wat by the end of 2021

Thong Sotha On December 24, 2021 - 8:14 am In Cambodia Insider

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The restoration team from the APSARA National Authority is restoring 23 of the 83 pillars in the Preah Poan Gallery of Angkor Wat, which are damaged due to nature and ages. This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021.

Mr. Soy Sophearin, Technical Officer of the Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archeology of the APSARA National Authority, said that the 23 pillars are eroded by the small moss that formed as bacteria and chemical substances then convert to acid as well as by heat and moisture.

Mr. Sophearin added that the restoration of the 23 pillars is divided into two phases: the first phase, 12 pillars are restored, starting from mid-May to mid-December 2021, and the second phase 11 pillars are restored, starting from Mid-October to mid-December 2021.

Before starting the restoration work, the experts use a Digital Salinity Tester to test for the level of salt, which is the source of the pillar damage, and then use Thermography to scan the pillars to find out the level of moisture in each pillar and also use Ultrasound equipment to record the inside of the stone to know its level of erosion.

Article: Miss Chhay Phanny
Photos: Department of Communication