PHNOM PENH, Jun 8 (NNN-AKP) – Cambodia’s APSARA National Authority (ANA) archaeologists, have started to restore the stairs and Naga balustrades on the southern ground floor of Angkor Wat, said an ANA’s news release, yesterday.
Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat is a major temple in the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park, in the north-west country’s Siem Reap province.
Soy Sophearin, an archaeologist of the ANA’s Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology, said, the restoration work is essential to preserve the historical and architectural integrity of the Angkor Wat.
“The damage caused by rainfall highlights the importance of ongoing maintenance and restoration work, to ensure the longevity of these ancient structures,” he said.
He said, the restoration work will include repairing stairs and lifting, cleaning, and strengthening the Naga balustrades and pedestals.
The 401-square-kilometre Angkor Archaeological Park is home to 91 ancient temples, which had been built from the 9th to the 13th centuries.
The kingdom’s most popular tourist destination attracted 472,258 international visitors in the first five months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 37 percent, said a report from the state-owned Angkor Enterprise.
The ancient park made 22.2 million U.S. dollars in revenue, from ticket sales during the Jan-May period this year, also up 38 percent, year-on-year, the report added.– NNN-AKP
