NABUNKEN NEWS vol.46

Restoration of the Western Prasat Top Site Begins

 Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties has committed long-term to the research survey of the ruins of Angkor, Cambodia, since 1993. We have continued to investigate a stone temple site referred to as "Western Prasat Top" since 2002. However, while undertaking the survey, we noticed that this structural remain was facing the crisis of collapse. Then, in 2008, a part of this building structure broke and fell, showing that total collapse was just around the corner.
 Before anything else, we reinforced the building with steel scaffolds as an emergency treatment for the moment, but it turned out that for fundamental repair, we had to disassemble the stones of the structure by using cranes and reinforce the base, before restoring it. For all that, since this work was the overhaul of a cultural heritage, we needed to refrain from using modern construction materials including concrete as much as possible. We were required to reuse the stone materials originally existing at the site, and, as much as possible, to use the ancient techniques available at the time of construction. For this purpose, we had to prepare detailed records about the current status of the site before the overhaul, as well as to examine suitable restoration methods. This took more than three years.
 After completing the academic records and examinations above, at the end of last year, we submitted our restoration plan to the Cambodian government (APSARA National Authority) and UNESCO's committee (ICC-Angkor), and earned their approval. Thus, this March, the overhaul/restoration works began. At the ground breaking ceremony, Mr. NAMBA Yozo, the Director of the NABUNKEN Department of Planning and Coordination (on behalf of the director general) and Ms. Mao Loa, director of the APSARA National Authority made a speech to express that the organizations of both Japan and Cambodia will hand in hand implement the restoration of this precious cultural heritage.
 Even today, on the site, the restoration team, composed of over 10 staff including Nabunken's resident staff, local staff, stonemasons and utility workers, is working on this project.

(ISHIMURA Tomo, Department of Planning and Coordination)

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Restoration of the building structure facing the crisis of collapse, using a crane

 

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