Phnom Bakheng Conservation Project Update September 2013
Major accomplishments At the Northeast corner Completed bedrock repair underneath stone shrine D12 Completed reassembly of stone shrine D11 Continued bedrock repair at level C Finished wall foundation repair at level B At the Southeast corner Continuingwall reassembly atlevel F Started bedrock repair at level E Related site activities Finished new Buddha s footprint structure Demined areas adjacent to the temple
At the Northeast corner Finished foundation repair at level B Completed bedrock repair at level C Accomplished reassembly of stone shrine D11 Completed foundationrepair underneath shrine D12 level D
Level D Bedrock repair underneath shrine D12 At the northeast corner, the work at level F and E is completed and the team is focusing now on the upper levels D, C and B. At level D, underneath stone shrine D12, portions of bedrock had decayed due to water infiltration and poor rock qualities. In August, the team completed the repair of this area by removing the soil and filling the holes with 3 layers of new stone, the first one of laterite and the upper ones of sandstone. The team is now adjusting the new foundation slope to 1%,which h facilitates water run off from theterrace.
Level D Reassembly of stone shrine D11 After completion of bedrock repair at level D, reassembly of D11 was started in February 2013 and finished i in July 2013. After implementation i of the waterproofing measures, the shrine pavers, both original and new, were reassembled. The original blocksoftheshrinewereresetintheirpositionsand2ofthemissingoneswere recovered from the forest. The shrine had partially collapsed before WMF started this conservation project, thus only 30% of it could be reassembled.
Level C Bedrock repair Started in December 2012, the bedrock repair and terrace stabilization through new laterite infill is now being brought to its completion.
Level B Wall foundation repair The terrace, made of compacted soil, is structurally stable. The repair of the wall foundation has been complete, which necessitated the insertion of 53 new sandstone blocks to assure long term stability, proper ability to bear weight, and withstand seasonal climatic conditions.
At the Southeast corner Bedrock elevation repair at level E continues Wall reassembling at level F continues
Level E Bedrock elevation repair After the dismantling of the south wall and the southeast corner, the elevation was cleaned and decayed bedrock removed. Bedrock repair requires insertion of stainless steel pins to increase the stability of the terrace by reducing the risk of bedrock detachment and improper movement.
Renovation of the Buddha s footprint structure While this was not a part of the originally conceived plan for the project, APSARA was very clear that this was an important feature of the site and they considered it to be essential to the overall conservation and interpretation program. As WMF s project team was in place, it was possible to do this work without disrupting the primary temple conservation activities. In December 2012, WMF removed the existing protective structure installed at the Buddhapada. WMF designed, fabricated and installed a new protective shelter that is more attractive and better protects the artifact. WMF improved the drainage system adjacent to the structure and installed a barrier to allow viewing at a close distance. WMF mounted an information panel so the public knows what the Buddhapada is and why it is important.
Demining the wooded side of the hill The demining campaign performed in 2013 is complete and assures greater safety for the WMF project team working on site. Project team members have been actively recording stones found in the hillside and retrieving them for reassembly and incorporation into the temple structure when appropriate.