Banteay Prei: Discovery of a sandstone door guardian statue (dvarapala)

A notable archaeological discovery has been made at the Banteay Prei Temple, where a sandstone door guardian statue (dvarapala) was unearthed by the Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology of the APSARA National Authority.

The statue was discovered to the east of the temple's second gate, buried approximately 80 centimetres underground

Archaeologist Chea Sarith posited that the statue had been dislodged as a consequence of the collapse of the gate's upper structure. Notwithstanding the aforementioned circumstances, the statue remains in relatively good condition.

The statue is crafted in the Bayon style and stands approximately 1.60 meters tall

However, it was discovered with its head facing west, its body divided into six pieces, including damage to the neck, forearm, left side, waist, and below the knees of both legs. Additionally, a portion of its stick is missing.