SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA, August 19, 2001: This descriptive article details the challenges facing restorers at the massive temples of Angkor, one of the world’s great cities between the 9th and 15th centuries, and one of history’s architectural glories. Consecrated in 1191 by Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan served as a monastery and teaching complex, its walls carved with both Buddhist and Hindu images. For hundreds of years after the empire of Angkor collapsed, the temples lay buried in remote jungle. They were rediscovered by European explorers in the 19th century and some of the jungle was cleared away. But it is only in the last decade that large-scale efforts at restoration have begun. This has brought a quandary at some of the temples. The huge trees spread throughout the temple sites at Angkor are both protector and destroyer of the ruins. While their strength may be what holds parts of the structures together, other problems can be caused by spreading roots which undermine the walls and falling trees which damage fragile structures. The challenge of the project is to preserve the huge trees while minimizing damage to the temples.
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