This summer the Banteay Chhmar conservation team reached a major milestone as 90% of the Southeast bas-relief wall gallery has now been reconstructed. The ongoing work is now focusing on, reinforcing the foundation and filling in the gaps between the stone blocks to prevent water seepage, as well as the general removal of excessive vegetation near and around the wall.
The final stages of placing sandstone bas-relief blocks at the top of the bas-relief wall in their original positions, completing the final stages of work, using the GHF mobile crane.
Top: Before. Bottom: Progress to-date.
EMERGENCY INTERVATION UNDERWAY AT THE NORTHEASTERN WALL
In addition, a small conservation team has begun the Emergency Intervention work needed at the Northeastern Wall after the elements cause a section of the wall to collapse (Read more about the collapse here). The team is now collecting materials required for the emergency work. The workforce has also cleaned the area around the collapsed section of the Northeast Sector to enable survey work to commence. The survey work will record the exact position of where the fallen stones lie prior to their transfer, from where they lie now to a secure shelter, which is to be constructed in September.
The Emergency works underway to survey the fallen bas-relief blocks, Northeast sector, third gallery. The stones will be moved to a secured shelter to be located on the upper right side of the photo for emergency repairs and for security.