Recently, Cambodia's Apsara Authority reattached the heads to two statues on the bridge leading to the Gate of Victory at Angkor and held a consecration ceremony, marking new progress in the repair of the related cultural relics.
The restoration is part of the "Return of the Soul to Its Original Site" campaign. It was presided over by Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona, with representatives of UNESCO and the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia in attendance.
A total of 108 statues of devas and asuras line both sides of the stone bridge at the Gate of Victory, depicting the classic Hindu scene of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Due to war and long-term damage, the heads of many of these sandstone statues were lost, and some ended up overseas.
The Apsara Authority said it has continued to search for the lost heads in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and international partners in recent years, through archaeological excavation, collection inquiries and the recovery of cultural relics overseas, to push for the relics to return to their original sites.
Most of the lost statue heads have now been found, but three remain in overseas museums. Cambodia is negotiating with the relevant institutions in the hope of bringing these relics back to Angkor for good.
Phoeurng Sackona said the Gate of Victory is not only an important ancient building but also a historic site where the Khmer royal family held coronation and departure-for-battle ceremonies. Restoring the statues will help restore the former appearance of the monument while further enhancing the cultural value and tourist appeal of the Angkor heritage.
