Thai archaeologist on mission to reclaim ancient Khmer sculpture from US

[snoop1130]

 

A Thai archaeologist has embarked on a mission to reclaim a bronze sculpture, believed to be of Khmer King Jayavarman VI, from a museum in the United States. Tanongsak Hanwong, leader of the Samnuek 300 Ong conservation group, is collecting evidence to prove that the valuable antique originated in Thailand, but was smuggled abroad by antique traders.

 

A team of Thai PBS reporters recently joined Tanongsak on a trip to Ban Yang in Lahan Sai district of the north-eastern province of Buri Ram, where they met 67-year-old Nil Pedsakul, a villager of Ban Yang, who was shown pictures of the bronze sculpture from Tanongsak’s book.

 

The woman said images look like the sculpture which was found by her brother-in-law, during an archaeological dig at Prasat Ban Yang ruins in Ban Yang village about 50 years ago. She recalled taking the sculpture to their home, where she washed it with water.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-archaeologist-on-mission-to-reclaim-ancient-khmer-sculpture-from-us/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-07-05

 

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[proton]

Belongs to Cambodia surely?

[zzaa09]

12 minutes ago, proton said:

Belongs to Cambodia surely?

Assisting their Khmer colleagues?

Or.......come to the realization that everything considered "Thai" is/was greatly influenced by Khmer [et al] civilisations? 

[Misterwhisper]

"The woman said images look like the sculpture which was found by her brother-in-law, during an archaeological dig at Prasat Ban Yang ruins in Ban Yang village about 50 years ago. She recalled taking the sculpture to their home, where she washed it with water.

Nil also said that, after the find, some middlemen urged the villagers to continue digging, hoping that more artefacts would be found, adding that the bronze sculpture was the only one unearthed."

 

Does not sound like an "archaeological dig" to me, but rather as what is commonly called an "illicit excavation" in order to rob ancient artifacts.

Edited July 5, 2022 by Scott

[arithai12]

17 hours ago, proton said:

Belongs to Cambodia surely?

Why? It was found in Thailand.

Same like a roman coin found in UK, it doesn't belong to Italy.

But I see the cultural heritage aspect of course, hopefully they recover it and can display it in both THA and CAM.

[RJRS1301]

17 hours ago, proton said:

Belongs to Cambodia surely?

There are many Khmer temples in Thailand from the 11th c to 13 c when they ruled

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, proton said:

Belongs to Cambodia surely?

Used to.????