Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Ancient statue fragments reassembly planned

Ancient statue fragments reassembly planned

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Earlier this month, teams from the stone conservation workshop and the French School of the Far East (EFEO) conducted an evaluation of the different techniques that could be used to assemble the two hands. NATIONAL MUSEUM

Ancient statue fragments reassembly planned

The National Museum said it is planning the reassembly of two arms from an ancient statue of King Jayavarman VII.

The museum said on January 28 that the fragments of the left arm were discovered by French architect Henri Marchal in 1924 and taken to the Angkor Conservation Museum in 1931.

French polymath Georges Groslier had them bought to the National Museum and reassembled in late 1934. It was not until 1998 that a researcher at the National Museum observed that they had been assembled incorrectly, and took them apart for reassembly. The work was completed in 1999.

The right arm was discovered in 1990. Renowned Khmer researcher Michel Trane first hypothesised that the two pieces were the hands of King Jayavarman VII, but did not have the opportunity to try to assemble.

Content image - Phnom Penh Post

“His hypothesis was confirmed in 2019 by a French research team using 3D scanning technology. It showed that the broken sections overlapped almost perfectly,” said the museum.

Earlier this month, teams from the stone conservation workshop and the French School of the Far East (EFEO) conducted an evaluation of the different techniques that could be used to assemble the two hands.

“The purpose of restoring these fragments is to commemorate and enhance the prestige of the Angkorian kings,” said the museum.

Content image - Phnom Penh Post

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024

    The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.