Recent media reports said that on October 17, a resident in Cambodia's Siem Reap province unexpectedly discovered an ancient female statue buried underground while digging near his home. The discovery attracted the attention of local cultural heritage authorities.
According to reports, the resident was using a shovel to dig when he accidentally touched the statue underground. After discovering the artifact, he immediately reported it to the relevant authorities, allowing time for subsequent professional investigation and protection work.
梅乐提拉特, deputy director of the Heritage Office of the Siem Reap provincial Department of Culture and Fine Arts, said experts initially believed that the statue holds a lotus flower and bears artistic features characteristic of the Angkor or Khleang styles, and may be associated with the Hindu goddess Lakshmi.
According to the preliminary assessment, the statue is approximately 70 centimeters tall and may date back nearly a thousand years. However, it is currently damaged, and its precise age, historical background and specific identity still require further study and confirmation by experts.
The relevant authorities urged the public to immediately report any ancient statues or other artifacts discovered during digging or construction to the local government or competent authorities, and not to excavate, move or damage them without authorization.
The discovery once again demonstrates Cambodia's profound historical and cultural heritage. Prompt identification and proper protection of these precious buried artifacts are also an important part of safeguarding the civilization of Angkor.
