Researchers have discovered an ancient Virgin statue head made of sandstone. The archaeologists’ find is an important artifact because it was part of a statue in the Victory Gate complex at Angkor Thom.
Cambodian archaeologists discovered the head of a statue of the Virgin Mary standing at the Victory Gate in Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom, in what is now Cambodia, was the capital of the Khmer Empire, founded by the first Buddhist king Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century, HeritageDaily writes.
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The reign of King Jayavarman VII is often seen as a golden age for the Khmer Empire. He initiated many public welfare programs and oversaw the construction of numerous public buildings and monuments.
However, the city gradually declined when it was captured by the Ayutthaya kingdom, forcing the Khmers to move their capital to Phnom Penh. At the beginning of the 17th century, Angkor Thom was virtually abandoned.
The newly found head belongs to 23 of the 54 Virgin statues that once stood along the road to the Victory Gate along with 54 demon statues. These statues symbolized the Hindu myth of the churning of the ocean of milk. The Virgin’s sandstone head was found almost intact, although its nose and upper lip were missing.
APSARA, Cambodia’s national body for the preservation of cultural heritage, said the discovery deepens our understanding of the rich archaeological heritage of Angkor Thom. The find also provides valuable information about the history and craftsmanship of the ancient Khmer civilization.
Previously Focus He wrote about the Victory Stele of Naram-Suen, the relic of the living god of the Akkadian Empire.
We also talked about the residence of the pharaoh, located in the Sinai desert. Scientists believe that it belongs to Thutmose the Great, known for his military campaigns.
Source: Focus
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