Antiques found in April are on display in the museum

Burial of replica statues of turtles at the foundation of Kandal Srah Srong temple. Supplied

In April this year, Apsara Authority archeologists discovered a pair of sandstone turtles and other artifacts buried at Kandal Srah Srang temple in Siem Reap province. Besides the turtles, the antiques found included crystal stones and two metal tridents – one of which was intact while the other was broken.

“The turtle sculptures and artifacts are now on display at the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum as they are a Cambodian national treasure,” said Mao Sokny, project manager of Kandal Temple restoration project.

Sokny added they buried replicas of the turtle sculptures at the Kandal Srah Srang temple in accordance with traditional beliefs.

For future discoveries unearthed, authorities will hold similar ceremonies of burials with any artifacts found.

Meanwhile, excavations that started in late March to restore the central temple to its original form will conclude within six weeks if all goes well, said Sokry.

The Kandal Srah Srang temple was built in the 10th century and modifications were done in the late 12th and early 13th century. Khmer Times