Angkor turtle shell held secret treasure
Long Kimmarita | Publication date 11 May 2020 | 21:43 ICT
Archaeologist Chea Socheat is seeking help from international experts to identify artefacts found inside the shell of a turtle sculpture which was recently unearthed at an excavation site at Kandal Srah Srang temple in the Angkor region of Siem Reap.

The turtle sculpture was discovered on May 6 and archaeologists found a white crystal dragon and a trident hidden in a rectangular compartment located in the turtle’s shell.

The Apsara National Authority (ANA) said that on May 8, its excavation team found another smaller turtle sculpture.

Both turtles were kept in place at the excavation site to avoid any damage to their original shape. The second turtle sculpture has not been opened.

Socheat, the project director and research leader of the excavation told The Post on Sunday that some of the artefacts found in the turtle sculpture are now being preserved at the Preah Norodom Sihanouk Angkor Museum in Siem Reap.

“We opened the turtle shell and found water and solid mud in it. Until we cleaned everything out of there, we only saw mud and dirt.

“We did not attempt to dig more out of it as we were afraid of damaging the original shape. The hole in the turtle where the artefacts were found is 10cm wide and 5cm deep.”
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... t-treasure

Over 1,000 artefacts from Angkor era found at Angkor Archaeological Park
Archaeologists from the Apsara National Authority (ANA) have uncovered over 1,000 artefacts from the Angkor era during excavations at the Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia.
22 May 2023
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Stretching over some 400 square kilometres, the Angkor Archaeological Park contains the remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th century AD, including the Temple of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and the Bayon Temple with its ornate sculptural decorations.

The Khmer Empire, also known as the Angkorian Empire, is believed to have emerged in AD 802 when King Jayavarman II declared himself chakravartin (“universal ruler”, a title equivalent to “emperor”) in the Phnom Kulen mountains.

At its peak, the Khmer Empire ruled over and/or vassalized at times, most of mainland Southeast Asia and parts of Southern China, stretching from the tip of the Indochinese Peninsula northward to the modern Yunnan province of China, and from Vietnam westward to Myanmar.

Archaeologists conducting excavations at an ancient temple near Srah Srang, a baray or reservoir constructed during the mid-10th century, has led to the discovery of 1,055 artefacts, including 103 contemporary works of art made from metal and Buddha statues.

Long Kosal, an ANA spokesman, said: “The ancient statues were a metallic development around the 12th century, but we need to study more for a better understanding of the objects. Even though the excavations at the site have been completed, the artefacts are in a state of disrepair and need to be preserved carefully. Therefore, the ANA team is still cleaning and repairing them.”
- Apsara National Authority (ANA)