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CHURNING OF THE SEA OF MILK GALLERY CONSERVATION PROJECT

Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap, Cambodia

WMF Program:
Field Project
Keywords:
Angkor, biodeterioration, sculpture, training
Site Types:
Archaeological, Sacred

BACKGROUND

The Churning of the Sea of Milk Gallery, located in the Temple complex of Angkor Wat, displays a spectacular 49 meters of intricately sculpted bas-reliefs at Angkor Wat, which are part of a larger ensemble of scenes from the Battle of Kuruksetra, the Ramayana, the 37 Heavens and the 32 Hells, and Angkor Wat’s patron, Suryavarman II (1113 – c.1150) (...)

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HOW WE HELPED

In January 2012 the WMF team removed the gantry crane erected in February 2008 for conservation of the roof of the Churning of the Sea of Milk Gallery, marking the completion of the original WMF-APSARA collaborative project. (...)

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WHY IT MATTERS

Angkor Wat is perhaps the most famous of the temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park and the Churning of the Sea of Milk represents a crowning achievement of Khmer artistry. Projects such as the roof conservation work demonstrate that all monumental complexes must be looked after by a wide range of specialists and all components must be taken into consideration. (...)

VIDEOS

World Monuments Fund and UNESCO World Heritage Sites
April, 2012

Over the course of World Monuments Fund’s forty-seven-year history, many of our projects have been at UNESCO World Heritage sites. Our engagement has ranged from catalytic support, helping local groups prepare site for World Heritage inscription, to conservation work at sites already on the list. World Heritage cultural sites reflect the achievements of communities over time and this vast array of special places recognizes that our planets is filled with extraordinary sites that range from the humble and obscure to the grand and famous.