The restoration project of the 24-metre-long Naga Balustrade at the northeast corner of the first gallery of Banteay Samre Temple has been completed, the APSARA National Authority said in a news release this morning.

The six-month project was conducted by the Stone Conservation Unit (SCU) of the authority’s Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology, the source pointed out.

Mr. Long Nary, Head of SCU, said that the structure of the Naga balustrade of the Banteay Samre Temple was damaged because many stones collapsed, some fell to the ground, and some tilted unsteadily and fell to the floor.

Mr. Long Nary added that for six months, the team worked hard to collect and reassemble the stone fragments of the Naga balustrade that were in place and find some other pieces that were moved to different locations. For some of the parts that could not be found, the team replaced them with new stones to keep the Naga balustrade strong again.

After the completion of Naga balustrade restoration
project, the experts helped to restore the beauty of Banteay Samre Temple as well as make it safe for tourists visiting the temple. At the same time, they urged all tourists not to sit or rely on this dilapidated ancient structure.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse