Angkor's Ta Prohm Temple Yields Long-Lost Buddha Statue Trunk, Reuniting with Head Discovered a Century Ago

Archaeologists in Cambodia have announced the discovery of a Buddha statue trunk at the Ta Prohm temple in Angkor. The find, believed to date back to the 12th or 13th century, was made during an excavation by a joint Cambodian-Indian team. The 1.16-meter-tall trunk was unearthed along with 29 fragments, all thought to belong to the same statue. Notably, the statue's head was discovered at the same temple in 1927 and is currently housed in the National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh. The trunk was found approximately 50 meters from where the head was initially located. Electronic optical examination has confirmed that the two pieces fit together. Archaeologist Neth Simon expressed optimism that the statue can be almost fully reconstructed, with only the right hand missing. Plans are underway to seek permission to reunite the head and trunk for public display. The ongoing excavations aim to preserve artifacts within the Angkor complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a major tourist destination.