Guardian Sculptures Excavated at Angkor Thom in Cambodia

Archaeology Magazine ^ | October 31, 2024 | editors / unattributed

[SunkenCiv]

The Associated Press reports that sandstone sculptures depicting door guardians have been unearthed near the north gate of the Royal Palace at Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire. Long Kosal of the Apsara National Authority said that archaeologists were looking for fallen stones around the gate at the eleventh-century palace when they found the statues, which range in height from about 39 to 42 inches. Each of the 12 guardians are standing at attention, and wearing unique facial hair ornaments, added archaeologist Sorn Chanthorn. The statues have also been dated to the eleventh century, based upon their Khneang Style. They will be returned to their original locations after they are cleaned and conserved.

[SunkenCiv]

[Archaeology Magazine] Door guardian statues from Angkor Thom

Phouk Chea, Yi Sotha/Apsara National Authority

[SunkenCiv]

[BenLurkin]

bttt

[tired&retired]

Good thing they were buried, or they would have been stolen.

Or, the big ones the thieves just steal the heads as they couldn’t carry or move the large stone carved statues.

I spent several days there. The place is really big. More like a large village of temples.

The monkeys are a pain as they are constantly begging and if uou have nothing for them they can get nasty. These are big monkeys, about three feet high.