The restoration team of the Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology of the APSARA National Authority completed the restoration work of the southwest platform of Bayon Temple’s third terrace in early 2024, the authority said in a news release this afternoon.
Ms. Meng Sovanlylin, architect and site manager, said that the successful restoration work is focused on preparing the ridge stones to move back to their original location, compacting the soil foundations of the ancient drainage system, and restoring the 12-metre-long Naga balustrade. Some work required the addition of new stones.
This work started at the beginning of 2023 and has been completed, with only a small amount of work left, such as cleaning new stones and grouting the stone connection, she added.
Ms. Meng Sovanlylin said that the south part of Bayon Temple’s third terrace, badly damaged due to roots growing into the structure, caused some stones to move from the original location and made the water seep into the st
one holes, bringing out the sand mixture, and causing some parts to collapse. On the other hand, in the past, the French restorers used to repair it by using cement mortar to fill in the gaps between the floor tiles. But until now, that mortar is out of quality and has put the Bayon Temple’s third terrace at risk again.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse