Archaeologists Unearth Ancient Guardian Statues in Cambodia's Angkor Thom
Twelve sandstone statues, believed to be gatekeepers, were discovered at the historic site and are set for restoration.
- Angkor Thom, a significant tourist attraction, was once the capital of the Khmer Empire, constructed between the 11th and 12th centuries.
- The newly discovered statues are about one meter tall and feature distinctive facial hair designs, making each one unique.
- The statues were found by archaeologists during routine work at the North Gate of Angkor Thom.
- These gatekeeper statues symbolically represent the eternal struggle between gods (Devas) and demons (Asuras).
- The restoration of the statues is expected to be completed by May 2025, after which they will be returned to their original locations.