SIEM REAP: Experts from the APSARA National Authority, in collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) through the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation (KCHF), are restoring some damaged structures of the Terrace of the Elephants.

Project Manager of the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, Park Jimin, said the restoration is underway in two different parts, 20 meters in the north and 15 meters in the south. In the process of restoring, the team focuses on several important tasks, such as strengthening the foundations, strengthening the relevant structures inside and below, and reassembling the walls of the sloping platform and the corrugated stone.

Park Jimin said that the findings at the two sites are similar: the wall surface is very tilted and may collapse, in addition, laterite and some sandstone has decayed due to age and rain damage. Also, the bottom drain causes the bottom foundation to lose balance.

Architect of the Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology of the APSARA National Authority, Prum Tith Chhapanrith, said that much of the damage is due to tree roots growing into the structure, causing some stones to move out of their original position, and creating that allow water to seep in.

Over the months, experts have been removing part of the floor and walls to review the condition of the laterite walls and re-arrange the laterite sandstone to its original location and some of the damaged areas as well as to fix it, but if it still cannot be fixed, the team will replace it with new stone.