Archaeologists in Cambodia have made a breakthrough discovery that could solve a century-old puzzle.
A Buddha statue torso has been unearthed at the ancient Angkor temple complex.
The remarkable find is believed to match a head discovered nearly 100 years ago during the French colonialist era.
The discovery was made in February at Ta Prohm temple, adding another layer of intrigue to the site’s already fascinating history.
The torso stands 1.16 metres tall and is thought to date back to the 12th or 13th century
Apsara National Authority
The headless statue
Apsara National Authority
The torso stands 1.16 metres tall and is thought to date back to the 12th or 13th century. It features the distinctive Bayon art style, known for its intricate carvings.
Archaeologist Neth Simon described the discovery as a “big surprise”, as previous excavations had yielded only small fragments.
The statue’s design includes carved jewellery, robe, and sash. It also features a unique left-hand gesture across the chest, which is an uncommon representation in Khmer art.
An optical electronic scan has confirmed that the torso matches the head discovered in 1927, which is currently housed at the National Museum in Phnom Penh.
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The torso matches the head
Apsara National Authority
The team of archaeologists with the find
Apsara National Authority
The two pieces were found approximately 50 metres apart at the Ta Prohm temple. This separation has raised intriguing questions about the circumstances that led to the statue being broken apart.
Scientists are now excited about the possibility of reuniting these long-separated pieces after nearly a century.
A near-complete reconstruction of the statue is now possible, with only the right hand remaining missing.
Neth Simon’s team will ask the Minister of Culture and Fine Art for approval to reattach the head and body. The goal is to make the sculpture whole again for public display.
The excavations at Ta Prohm are part of broader efforts to organise and preserve numerous art objects scattered throughout the complex.
The discovery was made at the Ta Prohm temple
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Teams working near the temple made the discovery
Apsara National Authority
These ongoing projects highlight Cambodia’s commitment to protecting and understanding its rich cultural heritage. The Angkor site sprawls across some 155 square miles (400 square kilometres) of land.
It contains the ruins of capitals from various Cambodian empires dating from the 9th to the 15th centuries.
Scholars consider it to be one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia.
In 2024, it attracted about a million international tourists, according to Cambodia’s Tourism Ministry.