Archaeologists restoring Hindu temple's tower in Cambodia's famed Angkor complex

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists have been restoring the ruined brick tower and laterite floor of Pre Rup temple in Cambodia's famed Angkor Archaeological Park, the APSARA National Authority (ANA) said in a news release on Friday.

So Pot, an archaeologist at the ANA's Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology, said work on brick tower No. 10 and the laterite floor of the Hindu temple has been launched after experts identified structural risks at the site.

"Due to the age of the temple, parts of brick tower number 10 have significantly deteriorated," he said. "Sections of the brick walls have decayed and lost their original structure, making urgent restoration necessary."

In addition, the laterite floor in several areas, particularly in the southwest section, has been eroded, Pot said.

"This deterioration allows rainwater to flow down toward the temple's foundation, posing potential risks to the stability of the monument," he said.

Pot said the restoration and maintenance work is being carried out in accordance with the technical methods and standards established by the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Sites of Angkor and Sambor Prei Kuk.

Pre Rup Temple, a significant historical site built by King Rajendravarman II in 961 A.D., features a total of 33 towers, according to the news release.

It is one of the temples in the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province. Enditem