The jungles of northern Cambodia are full of relics from the rise and fall of the great Khmer empire, of which Angkor Wat is one of its most famous symbols. Since archaeologists, tourists and even looters are familiar with the area, the latest discovery came as a big surprise to everyone.
Features of the find
On July 30, excavations in the region uncovered a massive human statue that dates from around the 12th-13th century. It is believed that the 1.9 m high sandstone human figure is a symbol of the guard at the entrance to an ancient hospital in the former city of Angkor Thom (Cambodia), near the world famous Angkor Wat temple. Since many valuable items from this complex have been looted over the centuries, the discovery of this artifact is a pleasant surprise.
Although the feet and parts of the legs are missing from the statue, decorative ornaments and engravings on the head and face can still be clearly seen. The statue was buried in the ground at a depth of 10 centimeters.
“We were very surprised to hear of this find,” Im Sokriti, a project manager at the government-run Apsara Authority, told Cambodia Daily.
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What do we know about the temple complex
Located in the north of Cambodia, the Angkor complex is considered the most important archaeological site in Southeast Asia, as well as home to the stunning Angkor Wat temple complex. Its construction was completed during the reign of Jayavarman VII, and the temple was originally conceived as a Hindu to worship the god Vishnu. By the end of the 17th century A. D. e. it was converted into a Buddhist temple. It is currently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the largest tourist centers in Asia.
“The reign of Jayavarman VII was a very important period as he conducted many social programs,” says Sokriti. - The hospital building consisted of wooden buildings and a chapel carved into the rocks. Only the chapel is left, as the wooden buildings have long disappeared."
Where are the excavations carried out
An ongoing excavation by the Apsara Authority is exploring the region between the river and the hospital. As excavations continue, archaeologists hope to be able to learn more about the medicine and science of the Southeast in ancient times, as well as understand how the daily life of this ancient civilization went.
“There were previously four hospitals in major locations in Angkor Thom,” said Dr. Reti Chkhem, administration advisor for the Apsara Authority. "French archaeologists identified them 100 years ago, but the hospitals have never been excavated."
Anna Pismenna