Cambodia unveils ancient Shiva statue restored from 10,000 pieces

The statue “was toppled in the 14th century and shattered into more than 10,000 fragments by looters”. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Phnom Penh - A massive, 1,000-year-old “Dancing Shiva” statue, which was broken into more than 10,000 fragments decades ago, has been successfully restored in Cambodia, the culture ministry said on March 19.

The 5m and seven-tonne sandstone sculpture – with 10 arms and five faces – dates back to the 10th century from the site of an ancient capital of the Khmer empire, Koh Ker.

The temple ruins of Koh Ker in northern Cambodia were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023.

The Dancing Shiva, which was “reborn after its complete restoration”, was unveiled on March 18 at the Angkor Conservation Centre in Siem Reap city, home of the renowned Angkor Wat heritage site, the ministry said.

Cambodian experts in cooperation with the French School of the Far East (EFEO) spent five years restoring the immense artwork, it added.

The statue “was toppled in the 14th century and shattered into more than 10,000 fragments by looters” during the country’s years of civil war, according to a statement from the culture ministry, EFEO and others involved in its reconstruction.