Latest news with #APSARANationalAuthority
The Star
14 hours ago
- General
- The Star
Archaeologists restoring ninth brick tower of Bakong temple in Cambodia's famed Angkor park
This photo taken on July 9, 2025 shows restoration site of the ninth dilapidated brick tower of Bakong temple in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. - ANA/Handout via Xinhua PHNOM PENH: Archaeologists have been restoring the ninth dilapidated brick tower of Bakong temple in Cambodia's famed Angkor Archaeological Park, the APSARA National Authority (ANA) said in a news release on Monday (July 15). Archaeologist Saray Kimhual, head of ANA's Rolous Conservation Team, said the condition of the ninth tower suffered significant damage to its structure, including cracked foundations and walls, which posed a considerable risk to visitors. "The tower has suffered extensive deterioration, with its walls split into four large sections," he said. "Factors contributing to this decay include age, environmental exposure and the effects of climate change." Kimhual said that to address these issues, experts are focusing on reinforcing the western and northern walls, as well as the interior structure with steel supports. He said the restoration process includes repairing the foundation and walls that have become cracked and decayed. "Damaged bricks are being replaced with high-quality new bricks capable of providing adequate support for the structure," he said. "As of now, the restoration work is approximately 35 per cent complete." Kimhual said the restoration work commenced in May 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Built in the late ninth century by King Indravarman I, the Bakong temple, made of sandstone and laterite, was the first major mountain temple built in the Unesco-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Siem Reap province. The Bakong temple complex is home to a total of 22 brick towers, many of which are in varying states of disrepair, the ANA said."The ANA is committed to maintaining and preserving these sites to protect national heritage for future generations," it said. "To date, the experts have successfully restored seven brick towers, along with a sandstone wall, a lion statue, an elephant statue, boundary stones, and the eastern entrance." - Xinhua
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Archaeologists restoring ninth brick tower of Bakong temple in Cambodia's famed Angkor park
Phnom Penh: Archaeologists have been restoring the ninth dilapidated brick tower of Bakong temple in Cambodia's famed Angkor Archaeological Park, the APSARA National Authority (ANA) said in a news release on Monday. Archaeologist Saray Kimhual, head of the ANA's Rolous Conservation Team, said the condition of the ninth tower suffered significant damage to its structure, including cracked foundations and walls, which posed a considerable risk to visitors. "The tower has suffered extensive deterioration, with its walls split into four large sections," he said. "Factors contributing to this decay include age, environmental exposure, and the effects of climate change." Kimhual said that to address these issues, experts are focusing on reinforcing the western and northern walls, as well as the interior structure with steel supports, reported Xinhua news agency. He said the restoration process includes repairing the foundation and walls that have become cracked and decayed. "Damaged bricks are being replaced with high-quality new bricks capable of providing adequate support for the structure," he said. "As of now, the restoration work is approximately 35 percent complete." Kimhual said the restoration work commenced in May 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Built in the late ninth century by King Indravarman I, the Bakong temple, made of sandstone and laterite, was the first major mountain temple built in the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Siem Reap province. The Bakong temple complex is home to a total of 22 brick towers, many of which are in varying states of disrepair, the ANA said. "The ANA is committed to maintaining and preserving these sites to protect national heritage for future generations," it said. "To date, the experts have successfully restored seven brick towers, along with a sandstone wall, a lion statue, an elephant statue, boundary stones, and the eastern entrance."
South China Morning Post
02-03-2025
- South China Morning Post
Spark Study Buddy (Explorer): Cambodian monkeys go wild thanks to YouTubers
Content provided by British Council [1] Wild monkeys at Cambodia's Angkor temple complex have been causing trouble, encouraged by YouTubers. Officials say the monkeys are attacking tourists. They are also damaging the temple's stonework and informational signs. [2] The agency that runs the Unesco-listed site, APSARA National Authority, warned visitors to stay away from the groups of 'aggressive' macaques. The animals live around the massive complex of ruins and have been biting tourists. [3] The macaques are native to the lush forests that surround the temple ruins in the Angkor Archaeological Park. However, the APSARA National Authority said human interaction has changed their behaviour. One big problem comes from people filming content to post online. [4] Some YouTubers feed monkeys for their videos. This has changed the natural behaviour of the monkeys from being wild animals to domestic ones. They are aggressive, stealing food and injuring people, the APSARA National Authority said. Some people have reportedly even filmed themselves abusing macaques. [5] Long Kosal is a spokesman for the APSARA National Authority. He said that besides the danger posed to tourists, the agency was also worried about the monkeys damaging the centuries-old stonework. 'On top of biting visitors, they have been climbing up and pushing stones down, damaging temples,' he said. He added that the macaques had also damaged information boards. [6] The agency urged tourists to leave the monkeys alone while visiting the ruins. They said they are looking for 'an appropriate solution' to the problem. The Angkor complex, built from the 9th to the 15th centuries, was the capital of the Khmer Empire. It is Cambodia's top tourist attraction, bringing in a lot of money to a poor country. [7] More than a million foreign tourists visited the park last year. It became a World Heritage site in 1992. Since then, the temples and the nearby jungle have benefited from better legal and physical protections. [8] There is hope that wildlife sightings will spark interest in tourists and boost conservation efforts. The agriculture ministry plans to conduct a census of monkeys in public areas. They aim to identify and relocate those posing a danger to humans. Source: Agence France-Presse, February 5 Questions 1. According to paragraph 1, the monkeys have been … A. breaking stones in the temple. B. hurting people. C. ruining the signs. D. all of the above. 2. According to paragraph 4, why are YouTubers feeding the monkeys? 3. The stonework mentioned in paragraph 5 are … A. newly built. B. about 10 years old. C. more than 100 years old. D. more than 1,000 years old. 4. To protect both tourists and the ancient temples, the APSARA National Authority is asking visitors … to interact with the monkeys, according to paragraph 6. A. not B. neither C. nor D. no 5. According to paragraph 7, when did the park become a World Heritage site? 6. Circle the correct answer. (3 marks) Angkor Wat (was / is) built between the 9th and 15th centuries. It (was / is) the main city of the Khmer Empire. Today, it (was / is) Cambodia's biggest tourist spot. The APSARA National Authority is seeking a solution to protect both tourists and the ancient ruins. Photo: AP Answers 1. D 2. to create videos 3. C 4. A 5. 1992 6. was; was; is
