A conservation team from the Preah Norodom Sihanouk Angkor Museum is cleaning nearly 300 sandstone statue fragments discovered within the Angkor Wat temple complex, as Cambodia prepares the artefacts for long term storage and potential restoration.
The fragments were discovered by the APSARA National Authority in 2020 during excavation work connected to the installation of a lawn irrigation system at Angkor Wat. In July 2026, the artefacts were transferred to the museum for cataloguing and conservation cleaning.
The work forms part of ongoing efforts to document and preserve archaeological materials recovered from the Angkor site.
Nearly 300 Statue Fragments Under Conservation
According to museum technical staff member Chun Channarath, the collection contains nearly 300 sandstone fragments of different sizes.
Most of the pieces are made of sandstone, while some contain mountain stone and ceramic materials.
The fragments vary in condition, requiring conservation staff to assess and handle each piece carefully during the cleaning process.
| Conservation Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Approximate number of fragments | Nearly 300 |
| Main material | Sandstone |
| Other materials | Mountain stone and ceramic |
| Discovery | 2020 |
| Discovery location | Angkor Wat temple complex |
| Transferred to museum | July 2026 |
| Cleaning methods | Dry and wet cleaning |
| Completed so far | 10 statues |
| Estimated time per statue | 1–2 weeks |
Fragments Discovered During Irrigation Excavation
APSARA National Authority staff discovered the fragments in 2020 while carrying out excavation work to install a lawn irrigation system at Angkor Wat.
The archaeological materials remained associated with the temple complex until July this year, when teams transferred all the fragments to the Preah Norodom Sihanouk Angkor Museum.
The transfer allows specialists to catalogue, clean and prepare the pieces for appropriate storage and future conservation work.
Two Cleaning Methods Used
The museum team is using two primary conservation techniques:
- Dry cleaning
- Wet cleaning
Both methods require careful handling because some of the artefacts are fragile and vulnerable to further deterioration.
Chun Channarath said particular caution is required for pieces with lacquer finishes, which can be especially susceptible to damage during cleaning.
The objective is therefore not simply to remove accumulated material from the fragments, but to do so without damaging original surfaces or remaining finishes.
Key Facts
| Indicator | Detail |
|---|---|
| Artefacts | Nearly 300 statue fragments |
| Location of discovery | Angkor Wat |
| Discovery year | 2020 |
| Discovering institution | APSARA National Authority |
| Conservation institution | Preah Norodom Sihanouk Angkor Museum |
| Main material | Sandstone |
| Additional materials | Mountain stone and ceramic |
| Cleaning techniques | Dry and wet cleaning |
| Statues cleaned | 10 |
| Time per statue | 1–2 weeks |
| Future objective | Storage and potential restoration |
Each Statue Can Take Up to Two Weeks
The fragile condition of the artefacts makes the conservation process time consuming.
Each statue can require approximately one to two weeks to complete.
So far, the team has cleaned 10 statues and continues working through the remaining collection.
The pace reflects the level of care required when handling archaeological objects whose surfaces and finishes may have deteriorated over time.
From Cleaning to Future Restoration
The current work is focused on cleaning and preparing the fragments for storage and future restoration.
The museum team must first document and clean the pieces before conservation specialists can determine how individual fragments should be preserved or potentially restored.
The supplied report does not specify a final restoration date or indicate whether all nearly 300 fragments will eventually be reassembled into complete statues.
Why the Conservation Work Matters?
Archaeological fragments recovered from Angkor Wat can provide important physical evidence about the temple complex and its artistic heritage.
Proper cleaning and storage can help protect the remaining material from further deterioration while allowing specialists to study the pieces.
The conservation process also creates a documented record of artefacts recovered from archaeological areas within the Angkor complex.
Angkor Times Analysis
The cleaning of nearly 300 statue fragments demonstrates the detailed and often lengthy work required to preserve Cambodia's archaeological heritage. The discovery was made in 2020, but conservation continues years later because fragile sandstone and lacquered surfaces require careful treatment. With only 10 statues cleaned so far and each requiring roughly one to two weeks, the project illustrates why archaeological conservation is a long term process rather than a simple cleaning operation. The next stage will be determining how the preserved fragments can contribute to future restoration, research and interpretation of Angkor Wat's heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many statue fragments are being cleaned?
The museum team is working on nearly 300 statue fragments originating from Angkor Wat.
Where were the fragments discovered?
The fragments were discovered within the Angkor Wat temple complex during excavation work.
When were the fragments discovered?
APSARA National Authority staff discovered them in 2020 during work related to installing a lawn irrigation system.
When were the fragments transferred to the museum?
The fragments were transferred to the Preah Norodom Sihanouk Angkor Museum in July 2026 for cataloguing and cleaning.
What materials are the fragments made from?
Most are made of sandstone, while some contain mountain stone and ceramic materials.
How long does it take to clean one statue?
The conservation team estimates that each statue can take approximately one to two weeks to clean.
How many statues have been cleaned so far?
The team has cleaned 10 statues and is continuing work on the remaining artefacts.