Angkor Wat Site: Nearly 300 Buddha Statues Fragments Undergoing Cleaning for Restoration

SIEM REAP, Cambodia – A team from the National Museum of Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor is currently undertaking the meticulous cleaning of Buddha statue fragments discovered at the Angkor Wat temple complex. This crucial work precedes the future restoration of these significant cultural heritage pieces. A technical staff member at the museum, Ms. Chorn Channarath, stated that the cleaning process involves approximately 300 fragments of sandstone Buddha statues. She noted that the fragments vary in size, with most being sandstone, while some are made of limestone and pottery. These fragments were initially found in 2020 by a team from the Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Greater Siem Reap Region (APSARA National Authority) during excavation work for a grass irrigation system around Angkor Wat. In July 2026, all discovered fragments were transferred to the museum for cataloging and cleaning preparation. According to Ms. Channarath, two cleaning methods are being employed: dry and wet cleaning. Extreme care is required due to the fragility of many statues, particularly those with lacquer coating, which can be brittle. Consequently, cleaning each stone fragment can take one to two weeks, making the overall process time-consuming. The team has so far cleaned 10 statues and continues to diligently work on the remaining fragments. Source: AKP Khmer