Tuesday, March 2, 2010

New list aims to combat plunder of Cambodia's rich heritage

Tue, 02 Mar 2010
DPA

Phnom Penh - Road workers uncovered a treasure trove of ancient artefacts 10 years ago at Phum Snay in western Cambodia. Among the finds were jewellery, ceramic pottery and even human bones. But shortly after news of the find got out, looters moved in. Within a year, Phum Snay had been stripped bare and its archaeological worth destroyed.
Cambodian authorities are struggling to stem the illegal trade in plundered artefacts. A new colour booklet published by archeologists called the Red List aims to teach police and border officials what to look for.
The looting of ancient sites and temples is a long and common problem in Cambodia, which has to balance widespread poverty and inefficient policing with a rich cultural heritage that gave the world the magnificent temple complex at Angkor Wat, the drawing card for 2 million foreign tourists each year.
Experts say numerous temples and sites around the country have been hacked at and dug up in recent years by those looking to make money from unscrupulous buyers of Khmer statues and jewellery.

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