Archaeologists restoring ancient temple's causeway in Cambodia's Angkor park

PHNOM PENH, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists have been restoring the eastern causeway of the centuries-old Beng Mealea temple in the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Cambodia, the APSARA National Authority (ANA) said in a news release on Saturday.

The restoration project was funded by the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund, the news release said. The fund, initiated by China in March 2016, aimed to support small- and medium-sized cooperation projects put forward by six LMC countries.

ANA engineer Boeut Sopak said the project aimed to revitalize the eastern causeway of the temple, which had suffered considerable damage.

She added that the restoration work began on July 20, 2024, and was projected to be completed by August 2025.

"The restoration team has successfully repaired various structural elements of the causeway, including pillars, beams, Naga balustrades, and Naga heads on both sides," Sopak said.

"They have also addressed a substantial portion of the collapsed causeway floor. Currently, efforts focused on installing Naga heads on the southern side and repairing the damaged stones of the causeway," she added.

Sopak said the restoration team was also replacing eroded soil with laterite, a material believed to enhance the stability and longevity of the structure, particularly in areas affected by water runoff.

"Beyond preserving this vital piece of Khmer heritage, the project has also provided employment opportunities for local residents, fostering a sense of community involvement in heritage preservation," she said.

Built in the middle of the 12th century, the layout and style of the temple are very similar to those of the iconic Angkor Wat temple, the ANA said.

Made of blue sandstone, the temple is one of the key temples in the 401-square-km Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province.

The Angkor Archaeological Park, which is the most popular tourist destination in the Southeast Asian nation, is home to 91 ancient temples built from the ninth to the 13th centuries. ■