Recent excavations at the north gate of the Royal Palace of Angkor Thom have led to the remarkable discovery of 12 sandstone door guardian statues.
This archaeological discovery was a collaborative project between the APSARA National Authority and the China-Cambodia Government Team for Safeguarding Angkor (CCSA).
Archaeologist Sorn Chanthorn explained that these statues were uncovered while studying the gate’s structure and searching for fallen stones. The 12th statue was found buried at a depth of 140 cm. The statues vary in size and shape, with those on the first level measuring 110 cm in height and those on the second level 100 cm. Each statue features unique facial hair ornaments, adding to their distinctiveness.
Experts believe these door guardian statues exemplify the Khneang Style, aligning with the construction period of the 11th-century palace.