The Apsara National Authority (ANA) has released a journal entitled Preah Nokor – a compilation of research carried out in the Angkor Park area and is intended to be a storehouse of knowledge that Cambodians studying Angkor can draw on.
ANA spokesman Long Kosal told The Post on December 7 that the ANA had regularly published its annual Journal of Angkor Studies based on research by national and international researchers, and the Preah Nokor was the first of its kind to be published after the compilation was complete in 2019.
“Texts we publish in this journal are based on scientific research. This compilation of research work offers hypothesis that point the way to a possible conclusion,” he said.
Kosal said that having released the journal, the ANA took it to be stored at the National Museum, some research places and schools. The ANA had also sent copies to some researchers.
The Journal of Angkor Studies will be transformed into an electronic journal soon so that the public can access it on ANA’s Facebook page.
ANA director-general Hang Pov said in the preface that the Journal of Angkor Studies Preah Nokor focuses on the hypothesis of ancient objects that have recently been discovered at Angkor.
The conservation and repair of clay towel Nº 8 at the Bakong Temples were made. The ceremony of guardian spirits was held. Irrigation systems of the Angkor Park and the Temple of Preah Vihear were conserved.
“The main purpose of the journal is not about the ANA but the former Yasodharapura capital – Preah Angkor of Khmer,” he said.
Pov hoped that the journal will become the source of more knowledge and that the public can access the journal at the Apsara National Library to obtain information and gain knowledge of the past and the current situation of Preah Nokor.
The ANA also said the journal had been written by national and international researchers. There are also many topics such as general ones on developing the Angkor capital and technical write-ups such as archaeological map details according to LiDAR (light detection and ranging).
Also included are the study of components of stones that ancient Khmer built as well as the bronze workshop at the Angkor Thom Palace.
The journal also contained technical passages relating to the maintenance and repairs of sandstone and mortar sculptures and repairs of clay constructions. Some passages point readers to the many types of ancient objects that the ANA had spotted and recorded in its inventory.
The journal also contains passages on anthropologists who talked on the merits of rice when inhabitants celebrated ceremonies at their ancient sanctuary. Touching on irrigation, there is a study of the Angkor area related to the temple of Preah Vihear as depicted in the journal.
