PHNOM PENH, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists have been undertaking the restoration of the Naga balustrades on the east terrace of Banteay Samre temple in Cambodia's famed Angkor Archaeological Park, the APSARA National Authority (ANA) said in a news release on Tuesday.
Long Nary, head of the restoration project at Banteay Samre temple, said the project began in January and is scheduled for completion in mid-2026.
"At present, specialists are preparing the Naga pedestals and assembling sculptural fragments collected from the surrounding area," he said.
Nary added that the deterioration of the stone structures on the east terrace has resulted from both human and natural factors.
"In particular, vegetation growth within the stone joints has caused cracking, separation, and structural weakening of the stones," he said.
He said the project has been conducted by Cambodian and German experts, combining theoretical instruction with practical, on-site application at Banteay Samre temple.
Banteay Samre is one of the magnificent temples in the 401-square-km Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Siem Reap province.
The UNESCO-listed park, which is the most popular tourist destination in the Southeast Asian country, is home to 91 ancient temples built from the ninth to the 13th centuries.
The ancient site attracted a total of 955,131 international tourists in 2025, generating a gross revenue of 44.7 million U.S. dollars from ticket sales, according to the state-owned Angkor Enterprise. ■
