ANGKOR: On February 1, the Archaeological Survey of India, which is restoring Ta Prohm Temple, handed over five statues found at the end of 2023 during the removal of the stones at the south gate of Ta Prohm to the APSARA National Authority.

APSARA Authority Archaeologist Neth Simon said that the five statues include two statues of the Buddha sheltered by a Naga, one Avalokiteśvara, and two Buddha statues with a broken head and hands.

She added that after finding the statues, the team cleaned them up and properly documented them. The team noted that the statues were not related to the structure of the south gate, except for the one pediment, which has a carving of the Buddha on it. The APSARA Authority will take over the statues to repair and preserve them.