Khmer Times/Ros Chanveasna and Jonathan Greig

As families gather for the Pchum Ben holiday to celebrate their loved ones who have passed away, rows of aging, dusty urns sit on a shelf in Wat Langka Pagoda, waiting for someone to bring them to their rightful home.

These urns were hidden in a brick nook behind the main hall of the pagoda as families fled during the Khmer Rouge invasion and evacuation of Phnom Penh in 1975.

These families were unsure of what lay ahead for them, and believed the pagoda, which was the second largest in the city, was the safest place for their loved ones. The alcove was not discovered until decades later, when monks living in the pagoda were looking for somewhere to hide valuable urns made of gold and bronze.

read more: http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/16683/wat-langka-seeks-lost-families-for-urns/

An incredibly difficult task and very

cool that the temple is making that

effort. Tip o' the hat.