Phnom Penh, 15 May 2024 - The excavation team of APSARA National Authority, led by archaeologist On Sopheap, has recently unearthed the head of a Deva statue at Angkor Thom's Victory Gate. The team had been conducting archaeological excavations at the Victory Gate for over two weeks to assess the structure of the balustrade foundations in preparation for a restoration project.

During the excavation, the team discovered a well-preserved head of a Deva statue buried in the foundation pit. Experts determined that the head belonged to the 23rd Deva from the front row and is made of sandstone, measuring 20 cm long, 11 cm wide, and 12 cm high.

Further excavation revealed that the foundations of the balustrades at the Victory Gate remain strong, having been repaired during the post-Angkor and French periods. However, stakeholders have suggested additional digging to assess the overall condition of the bridge and previous repairs before planning future restoration work on the balustrade statues.

The discovery of the Deva statue head adds to the rich archaeological heritage of Angkor Thom and provides valuable insights into the history and craftsmanship of the ancient Khmer civilization.