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Ancient lion statue found at Cambodia’s temple complex
2/04/2020 07:00:00 PM

Cambodian archaeologists have unearthed a large ancient lion statue during an excavation at an ancient pond’s jetty in the Banteay Chhmar temple's complex in the northwestern province of Banteay Meanchey.

Prak Sovannara, director-general of the culture ministry's heritage department, said the statue was found by accident on February 3 by a group of the ministry's archaeologists while digging the pond's jetty.

The statue was made of sandstone and dates back to the late 12th or early 13th century, he said, adding that it was buried more than a metre under the ground and is still in good shape.


Located in Banteay Meanchey's Thmar Puok district, the Banteay Chhmar temple was built in the late 12th or early 13th century during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. Its outer gallery is carved with bas-reliefs depicting scenes of military engagements and daily life.

The temple is one of the several ancient sites that Cambodia has planned to nominate for the UNESCO-recognised world heritage status.
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot ... kGbUOczgYI
Source: Vietnam Plus [February 04, 2020]

Pretty effing cool.

yea, totaally! I love ruins and statues.

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Tue Feb 11, 2020 8:59 am

I'm not sure that's the prescribed method for moving eight hundred year old statues.

Kung-fu Hillbilly wrote: ↑Tue Feb 11, 2020 10:21 am

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Tue Feb 11, 2020 8:59 am

I'm not sure that's the prescribed method for moving eight hundred year old statues.

I was thinking the same thing.

OMG how could they treat ancient finds like this? OMG. Should be very very careful with it.

By the way I wonder such a hurry to move it where is it going to? "Someone's" home perhaps.

yong wrote: ↑Tue Feb 11, 2020 10:41 am

By the way I wonder such a hurry to move it where is it going to? "Someone's" home perhaps.

It's going to be displayed at Banteay Chhma temple.

Lions never got past India.
First lion image in China dated, 208 BC - chinese knowledge of lions thought to originate from indian images.
Cannot find reference to earliest image of lion in cambodia, but i would think the idea also originates in India.
Indian influence in cambodia started about 290 BC.

This one seems beautifully preserved
- but if there is not already a stricture against lifting sacred lions upside down - there should be.
It just doesn't look right for a noble beast like this.

Lions lived as far east as modern day Bangladesh. Those Khmer guardian lions look like they were designed by someone who had never actually seen a real lion.

John Bingham wrote: ↑Tue Feb 11, 2020 11:20 am Lions lived as far east as modern day Bangladesh. Those Khmer guardian lions look like they were designed by someone who had never actually seen a real lion.

Only a minor question/quibble, JB.
Where did you get Bangladesh from? I can only find references that say the Indian state, East Bengal, is the furthest easterly place of the lions' historical range.

You are right about the resemblance tho', for sure.
Cambodian lion statues look more like Lion dogs - maybe the idea came from China not India after all?? (probably not)