Apsara Authority Repairs Historic Pillars at Angkor Wat

via Khmer Times, 27 February 2024: The Apsara National Authority’s Department of Conservation and Archeology has undertaken the delicate task of repairing two significant window pillars at Angkor Wat, one at the Preah Poan gallery and another at the temple’s front gate. The restoration process, led by stone conservation expert Soy Sophearin, involved comprehensive steps including stabilization, cleaning, salt removal, and structural reinforcement with lime mortar and new stones. The conservation efforts aim to address the damage caused by natural wear and environmental conditions, ensuring the longevity and stability of these architectural elements while urging visitors to respect the fragility of these historical structures.

One window pillar on the northeast side of the Preah Poan gallery was broken in two, and the other at the front gate of Angkor Wat, at the northern point of the Elephant Road, was broken into four parts and cracked.

Stone conservation expert at the Angkor Wat temple, Soy Sophearin, said that after seeing that the condition of the windows was dilapidated and unstable, the team also took first aid measures by tying them with temporary stabilizers before the repair.

Soy Sophearin said that the window pillar at the northern point of Elephant Road is good quality, only a part of the base is broken, it needs to be repaired and treated in stages, such as dry cleaning, wet cleaning, salt removal, connecting the core and gluing. Lime mortar is used to prevent water from seeping in, and new stones are added where the stone is missing to help restore the whole structure.

Source: Apsara National Authority to repair two window pillars at Angkor Wat – Khmer Times