Sculpture fragments discovered buried in Angkor Wat

via Phnom Penh Post, 16 April 2020: 21 broken Buddha statues discovered buried in Angkor Wat.

A group of Apsara National Authority (ANA) archaeological experts have found 21 broken Buddha statues buried in the ground in the Angkor Wat Temple complex after nearly a week of digging.

Meanwhile the authority also received six statues and four vases from the Royal Gendarmerie of Srok Chi Kreng, Siem Reap province to preserve.

ANA director of Exploration and Research Projects, Srun Tech, said on Wednesday that the 21 Buddha statues and 141 fragments were buried about half a meter deep at the Angkor Wat Temple area.

“This accidental discovery happened April 11. What we found were mostly Buddha statues, some of which had broken heads, arms, legs and other pieces. These statues are of Buddha sitting as well as standing.

“There is soil, mixed with modern remnants, meaning that they were probably buried in the 1960s or 1970s because we found fragments of a bicycle bell, a plastic bag and other materials. These statues were not buried in ancient times,” he said.

Source: Angkor Buddhas unearthed | Phnom Penh Post