PHNOM PENH: A team of conservation experts from the APSARA National Authority (ANA) is carrying out the second phase of restoration on Brick Tower No. 13 (G13) on the southern side of the Phnom Bakheng Temple in Cambodia's Angkor Archaeological Park.
According to an ANA news release issued on Friday (Aug 7), this phase targets the seven-metre upper section of the tower, spanning from its roof line to the summit across three distinct tiers.
Chhun Ratana, an official from the ANA's Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology, said the targeted intervention began in mid-May and is on track for completion by the end of the year.
The upper portion of Brick Tower No. 13 has suffered severe structural deterioration due to its advanced age, natural weathering and prolonged exposure to the elements, she explained.
"These compounding factors caused soil accumulation, severe decay of the original brickwork, and the loss of critical decorative architectural components," she said.
The structural integrity of the tower is highly compromised, she said, adding that its southern wall has completely collapsed from the second tier upward. Inside, the core has grown increasingly fragile as original bricks continue to loosen and fall away.
To mitigate further collapse, the restoration team has prioritized stabilising the primary structure by reinforcing the external walls before initiating interior conservation.
"Our current workflow involves carefully removing accumulated soil and compromised debris layer by layer," Ratana said. "We are systematically consolidating cracked brick masonry and reinforcing heavily weakened sections."
The project is moving at a steady pace, with approximately 60 per cent of the restoration work completed.
"The remaining phases demand meticulous precision," Ratana said. "The upper sections have sustained extensive structural damage, resulting in the loss of their original silhouettes and intricate decorative details."
Built during the late ninth and early 10th centuries under the reign of King Yasovarman I, Phnom Bakheng is a prominent Hindu temple mountain dedicated to Shiva. It remains one of the oldest and most geographically significant state temples within the Unesco-listed Angkor complex in Siem Reap province. - Xinhua
