SEAArch – The Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog

Remember last month when Cambodia complained to Google about its incorrect maps at the Preah Vihear border? Ogle Earth has a nice roundup about the disputed maps and a little background to the border spat. I found it quite interesting that when the temple was awarded to Cambodia by the ICJ, Thailand didn’t lower the flagpole flying over Preah Vihear and dug out the flagpole – with flag still flying – and moved the pole into Thai territory a kilometre away.

Where does Google stand on the Thai-Cambodian border at Preah Vihear Temple?
Ogle Earth, 07 Feb 2010 (via Changwat, Amphoe, Tambon)
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Cambodia has published a red list of artefacts aimed at stemming the looting of artefacts from the country, to be distributed to museums, auction houses and border checkpoints. You can help, too, by supporting local businesses when in Cambodia and not buying marketplace antiquities!

New List Aims to Stem Tide of Cambodian Stolen Antiquities
VOA News, 02 Mar 2010
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Richard Bammer of the Reporter visits three Southeast Asian Museums – The Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi, The Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap, and the National Museum Bangkok and contrasts the state of artefacts there.

Tales of three different Southeast Asian museums
The Reporter, 18 February 2010
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Archaeologists have discovered a drainage system for rainwater at the Bayon temple in Angkor Thom.

photo credit: RightIndex

Bayon drainage system discovered
Phnom Penh Post, 11 February 2010
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Cambodia files a complaint against Google for placing more than half of Preah Vihear into Thai territory. Google has responded that they will look into the matter, and here’s a picture taken off Google Maps on Wednesday (10 Feb 2010).

Cambodia rebukes Google over disputed Thai border map
AFP, via Channel NewsAsia, 06 February 2010

Google to review Cambodian map over Preah Vihear Temple
Xinhua, 10 February 2010

Google says it will look into complaint from Cambodia that border map with Thailand is wrong
AFP, via Baltimore Sun, 10 February 2010

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Four statues, two of Buddha and two of unnamed male deities, discovered in Kampong Speu province have been safely deposited with the National Museum in Phnom Penh. The statues are rare examples that date before the Angkor period.

Museum lauds pre-Angkor statues
Phnom Penh Post, 21 January 2010
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A small firefight broke out between Thai and Cambodian forces near the Preah Vihear border, reportedly when Thai troops encroached onto Cambodian territory. No casualties were reported, and both sides have moved quickly to the discussion table.

Thai Army Rangers clash with Cambodian troops near Preah Vihear temple
MCOT News, 24 January 2010

Khmer and Thai troops clash at border near temple
DPA, via The Nation 24 January 2010

Cambodia, Thai troops clash
AP, via Straits Times, 24 January 2010

Cambodia reports clash with Thai troops on border
AA, via Jakarta Post 24 January 2010
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