Ancient artifacts found in 17th century Buddhist temple


Buth Reaksmey Kongkea  

Officials in Battambang province have found artifacts and ancient coins under a 300-year-old Buddhist temple in Mong Russei district. They said the artifacts were found on Wednesday when a dilapidated temple was dismantled to be replaced with a new one in Talos commune.

Battambang provincial deputy governor Soeum Bunrithy said that at about 10 am the pagoda committees dismantled the 17th century Buddhist temple Sovannphoumi Thmey because it was in a state of ruins.




Bunrithy explained that the artifacts were discovered while excavators started digging through a hole found inside the temple. 

He said the artifacts included 20 different potteries made of baked clay, copper and bronze articles, two dozen Siamese bronze and copper coins, copper bells and over 3000 other silver coins.  

He added that Battambang provincial authorities were informed about the find and provincial governor Sok Lou visited the site yesterday to inspect the artifacts. 

“We do not know when and in which year they [artifacts] were made and buried inside this pagoda. We are waiting for experts from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts in Phnom Penh to examine them,” Bunrithy said.

He also said the artifacts have been moved to the provincial culture and fine arts department for further studies before they are handed over to the provincial museum.

 




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