Ruins of ancient foundations uncovered

Ruins of ancient foundations uncovered

Archaeologists from the Apsara Authority have discovered remnants of an ancient foundation buried underground for over 100 years around the Lor Ley temple in Siem Reap province’s Prasat Bakong district.

Tho Thon, head of excavation and research working group, on Saturday said among the relics uncovered were gates, laterite floors, brick walls, ceramics and decorative statues buried underground since the French colonisation period.

“The discovery of these structures provides new data for archaeological, historical and architectural research which can better promote conservation and value of the Lor Ley temple,” said Mr Thon, noting builders of the new structures that sit atop the ancient ones may not have seen the latter as they were concealed underground over time.

Fortunately, he said the new structures did not do much damage to those underground.

According to the Apsara Authority, the Lor Ley temple, which is located in Lor Ley village, Bakong commune, has undergone several changes through time, including the construction of new religious structures around it.

By the end of 2019, the structures were demolished with the approval of the Great Supreme Patriarch of the Mohanikaya sect, Tep Vong, to allow the Apsara Authority to conduct archaeological research and conservation on the structures buried underground.

Recently, the Apsara Authority has also unearthed a 1,000-year old wooden Ganesh statue in the centre of the Angkor Wat temple’s northern pond, as well as more than 140 pieces of Buddha statues in the southern part of the temple.

Credited: Khmer Times