Archaeological Program
Our archaeological work has three main parts:
- Archaeological research and conservation
- Capacity building and training
- Demining and safe removal of unexploded ordinances
Archaeological research and conservation
This part of our program involves researching the largely unexplored area of Phnom Kulen, mapping archeologically significant sites, and conserving these archeological treasures. These efforts enable us to collaborate with Cambodia's Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Siem Reap Region (APSARA Authority) in identifying priorities and initiating site specific conservation projects.
For many decades, little to no conservation measures were taken to preserve Cambodia's heritage in this region. Thanks to our program and partnership with APSARA Authority, Phnom Kulen's archeological sites are being rediscovered, studied and meticulously cared for. Our program encourages APSARA's presence in this remote area and the building of historical awareness and stewardship by the local population.
A team of 25 workers, hired by us and now funded by APSARA, maintain and safeguard these remnants of Cambodia's ancient splendor. The Phnom Kulen Program. collaborating with APSARA's Stone Conservation Unit, painstakingly restores the numerous sandstone sculptures, bas-reliefs and decorative elements that were damaged by time, looting and neglect. The Program also utilizes APSARA Architects in its conservation efforts to design and construct supporting structures for temples at risk of collapse.
Capacity building and training of Khmer specialists
More than merely research and conservation, the Phnom Kulen Program seeks to build the capacity of local Cambodian archeologists. The Program builds capacity of young Cambodian specialists by providing them with practical in-the-field experience to complement their theoretical textbook knowledge.
Each local specialist is hand selected from a pool of APSARA staff and students from Cambodia's Royal University of Fine Arts' Archeology Department. Once selected, these local specialist undertake rigorous on the job training and learn international best practices for archeological excavation, research, and conservation as they work side-by-side with an international team of experts. Currently, over fifty local specialists have been trained, certified and empowered by our program.
By focusing on training local specialists, the program passes along more than just knowledge, expertise and practical know-how, but also a sense of cultural pride and the need for preservation of Cambodia's heritage for future generations to enjoy.
Demining and UXO removal
In contrast with the splendors of Angkor, Cambodia's recent history, 1970 through 1990, is a tragic one, plagued by genocide, civil war, and national unrest. Under Democratic Kampuchea, the Khmer Rouge regime killed over 1.7 million of its fellow Cambodians. Phnom Kulen served as one of the last strongholds of the Khmer Rouge resistance against the current Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia. As a result, the Phnom Kulen landscape is still marred to this day by mines, unexploded ordnances, and other remnants of war.
Unfortunately these remnants of war damage more than the landscape, but also victimize Phnom Kulen's many inhabitants. Poor road access, insufficient health facilities, and extreme poverty are directly and indirectly linked to these patient killers waiting for the next unsuspecting victim -- indiscriminant of soldier or civilian, young or old, male or female.
Therefore, along with APSARA, our Program works closely with the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) to systematically demine both historical sites as well as inhabited ones. Safeguarding the local inhabitants and the precious heritage of their ancestors from these arbitrary destroyers is an ongoing task. Our team working in concert with CMAC have merely scratched the surface and unfortunately most of the Phnom Kulen sites remain heavily mined.