Archaeologists from the APSARA National Authority, in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), have made a significant discovery at the Ta Prohm Temple in Siem Reap province.
According to the authority’s news release on Tuesday, during ongoing excavation research, they uncovered head fragments of a Naga Buddha statue, along with other statue fragments, in the temple’s Dance Hall.
Archaeologist Neth Simon said that the team found the head fragments in July 2024 while cataloging stone fragments scattered around the third gallery of Ta Prohm. The fragments were partially buried in the ground. Upon excavation, it was revealed that the stone pieces belonged to the Naga Buddha statue, specifically the middle and right heads of a seven-headed Naga.
Experts believe that one of the head fragments matches the size and design of the existing pieces, indicating they once formed part of a larger statue. The careful arrangement of these fragments suggests they were buried with reverence, likely afte
r the reign of King Jayavarman VII, during a period of transition from Mahayana Buddhism to Brahmanism.
The archaeological team is optimistic about finding additional parts of this significant statue in future excavations, aiming to reassemble it for worship by Buddhist followers. In addition to the Naga Buddha fragments, other notable finds include parts of Buddha sculptures, arms, legs, and pillars.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse