APSARA National Authority’s Department of Conservation of Monuments and Archaeology is repairing a 20-metre section of the western moat embankment at Angkor Wat, on the inner side north of the causeway. The area had collapsed because of natural conditions and the age of the stone.
APSARA archaeologist អន សុភាព said the embankment restoration followed an inspection by the authority’s leadership that found the collapse. It also aims to restore the value of the moat, a feature that attracts visitors who enjoy photographing Angkor Wat from the outer embankment.
The archaeologist explained that the Archaeological Survey of India had restored this area between 1986 and 1993, covering a total of 140 metres from the causeway. Damage to drainage prevented rainwater from being discharged promptly, causing soil to be washed out beneath the embankment structure and approximately eight metres at the end to collapse.
APSARA National Authority proposed restoring a 20-metre stretch extending from the collapsed area. The work follows the techniques and experience used for earlier restoration of the outer moat embankment. Traditional methods include dismantling stones, preparing foundations, compacting clay, and laying laterite and sandstone above.
Ageing has severely damaged and almost entirely eroded the form of the laterite below, requiring many replacement stones, whereas much sandstone remains. អន សុភាព said the inner northern embankment has a similar form to the outer side, except that the inner side has six laterite steps and four sandstone steps, compared with seven laterite and three sandstone steps outside.
អន សុភាព was optimistic that the embankment would regain an attractive appearance and further enhance the beauty and appeal of the imposing Angkor Wat temple.
By: ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
