Carvings Found at Angkor Thom’s Royal Palace

PHNOM PENH – Intricate carvings have been found during excavation outside the wall of the former royal palace in the ancient city of Angkor Thom in Siem Reap.

The carvings are on the western side of a pond on the northern side of the palace walls. The pond was 15 laterite steps deep.

The APASARA National Authority said it reflected the artistic sophistication of the period.

The carving apparently shows people paddling boats and many water creatures including fish under the boats.

The discovery is part of a month-long study by an archaeological team from the authority, focusing on the outside of the walls. The excavations of the four sites show traces of the moat and drainage system of the palace.

“The study aims to investigate the structural remains of the ancient moat and the drainage system that once channeled water from the royal palace to the exterior and into the surrounding moat,” it said.

Soil deposits up to three meters deep have been found inside the moat. The moat structure consists of 9 to 11 laterite steps, indicating a carefully engineered design, he said.

Three ancient drainage systems were unearthed at the base of the palace walls, featuring a total of six water outlets. These systems once played a crucial role in channeling water from within the palace grounds into the moat.

Srun Tech said that the drainage system and moat structures were gradually buried over time due to natural factors such as sediment accumulation, vegetation growth, and human activity.

“The ongoing excavation is not only enhancing understanding of Angkorian hydraulic engineering but also supporting future restoration efforts,” he said.

The authority plans to restore the drainage system to its original function. It will also relieve water from inside the former palace complex, which is flooded every year during the rainy season due severe damage to the system over hundreds of years.