1. Past Intervention

The groups of monuments of Sambor Prei Kuk were covered in deep forest at the end of the 19^th century when it was discovered. Following the discovery, several French scholars of École Française d´Extrême-Orient (EFEO) carried out their archaeological and architectural survey. But unfortunately, the temple complex was subject to severe damage resulted from US air bombardments during the Vietnam War; also, damage during the Pol Pot regime (1975-1979) due to lake of maintenance. Other root causes of damage are attributed to forest overgrowth and tree rooting. In the 1980s, the complex suffered even more severe destruction when much unauthorized excavation was done on the site. In addition, intense looting occurred in recent years that damaged the architectural elements severely. The ancient heirloom deposited beneath the basement of the tower was also stolen.

          Angkor Conservation Office has been working on the conservation activity and UN’s World Food Program (1996-2001) has been contributed to maintenance activity by providing the food in exchange for their labor in the monuments in 1990s.

2. Activities Conducted by Waseda University Researches from 1998 to Present

The research work of the Architectural History Laboratory at Waseda University has focusing on the Sambor Prei Kuk temple site. In 1998, Waseda started a major research project on the structure of the temple and in 2001 we began working with Kompong Thom Department of Culture and Fine Arts, and had started the sustainable maintenance work. Periodical weeding, cutting branches, removing trees danger to the monuments, or installing supports for safety are the main conservation activities. In the same year, we held the first inter-ministerial meeting in Phnom Penh on conservation of the project. The second meeting was conducted in 2002 in Kompong Thom province and Phnom Penh on safeguarding the Sambor Prei Kukd complex on the strength of a relevant Royal Decree signed by King Norodom Sihanouk. We are developing human resources on a long-term basis in order to continue the repair work in the future.

         At present, Waseda is conducting a feasibility study on three main projects including research, preservation and documentation designed for future restoration operations. As far as long-term repair work is concerned, the communities on the temple complex and neighboring farmers are the best source of help for the conservation project.

3. Progress made by the Waseda research

The Waseda research group is happy to have the assistance of specialists in the fields of architectural history surveying, archaeology, geography, botany, and anthropology and restoration techniques. As result, we have discovered more temple sites. Based on a study of the structure and the appearance of the temples and the results of the research work, a form of an ancient city has came to light with the structure of temple discovered increases virtually with every passing day. A total of 290 temples have been found thus far on 115 locations of ancient sites. What is considered to be part of the city includes rectangular shape of moats, canals and ponds, trace of the city back in Chenla time during which noteworthy irrigation networks has been put in for agriculture. In addition to this, the appearance of the city bears a resemblance to the traditional Angkor areas in key aspects of Khmer culture.

4. Conservation and Restoration Work

         The structures of the temples made of brick on the site are subject to damage in 90 difference cases. Parts of them have fallen down over the past year. Up to the present, the results of our research reveal several main parts of the temples threatened by such things as walls leaning to one side, soil subsidence and cracking, thus possibly leading to collapse. In some cases, there is a high risk. Tree roots are a principal cause of collapse as they deform the temple structure until it falls down or push the walls out of alignment. The restoration plan is designed to address these critical problems. Restoration operations must be schedule urgently, which will require a source of funds, technical support and technicians.

         In 2005-2006, we have conducted the clearance work inside the importance towers temple, where the looted holes are un-technical refilled in the past. At first, we removed the filling soil, which contained of pedestal broken pieces then we refilled back the foundation refer to their original structure. After the work is completed restore its foundation, we re-assembly the pedestal and making replicas of its original statues to install in situ.

          Since November 2009, after we finished the clearance works on a squatter of N1’s terrace at north-west part the restoration work have been done on brick structure terrace platform and pavement and northern staircase of northern terrace and northern entrance of N1 temple. We conducted the work under supporting of Japan Development Funds for materials and equipments.

          We are continuing to make clearance forward on N1’s terrace for the whole entire. Also we continue to restore the brick structures as well as to preserve their authenticity. Periodic weeding and cutting branch of trees on the temples and developing site for Eco-culture tourism.

The community where 7 villages located around the monuments area is well aware of the value of national heritage and the respond of the protection of these cultural properties and the development will be make them for better life in future through their participate involve with preservation and development of Sambor Prei Kuk monuments.

Kompong Thom, August 2010

So Sokuntheary Ph.D

Sambor Prei Kuk Conservation Project,

Waseda University, Japan

Restoration foundation of S1 and pedestal	Putting cable and maintenance	Restoration foundation of
Terrace restoration of N1	Cutting grass and maintenance	N1Terrace after restored
		N1 stairway after restored
Sambor Prei Kuk Conservation Activity