PHNOM PENH – A stunning, yet incomplete, Buddha statue has been unearthed at the enigmatic Ta Prohm temple within the Angkor Archaeological Park, revealing an exceptionally rare artistic representation.

“During a second excavation at Ta Prohm temple in Angkor Archaeological Park, a Buddha statue torso was discovered with its left hand placed on the chest. This gesture is a very uncommon representation in Khmer art,” announced the APSARA National Authority (ANA).

The dramatic discovery unfolded during a February 2025 excavation, a collaborative effort between the ANA and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The focus is on an area nestled outside the laterite enclosure northeast of the temple’s third gallery, as detailed in the ANA's March 10 release.

This Bayon-style Buddha, standing a commanding 1.16 meters tall with a shoulder width of 56 centimeters, emerged from the earth headless, footless, and missing its right hand.

Yet, its intricate details spoke volumes. “The statue is adorned with jewelry and features a robe and veil, with a unique left-hand gesture placed on the chest,” explained ANA officials.

Intriguingly, the newly discovered torso perfectly aligned with fragments unearthed during a previous excavation in July 2024. “The first phase excavation unearthed a hand and foot,” confirming the statue's piecemeal journey through time.

But the story doesn't end there. Through meticulous scanning, the team made a remarkable connection. This body matched a head discovered back in 1927, currently safeguarded at the Angkor Conservation.

“This comparison allowed for a near-complete reassembly of the statue, with only the right hand still missing,” revealed ANA.

The ANA, the government agency charged with preserving the park’s treasures, emphasized that these excavations are crucial for organizing and safeguarding the vast array of art objects scattered throughout the Ta Prohm complex.

This latest find underscores the ongoing dedication to unraveling and protecting Cambodia's profound cultural legacy.