28TS.3

 

3. Banteay Srei:

The ad hoc group of experts recommends that:

1. Now that the recent structural work has been completed on the second gopura, close the axis gate connected with it. That will ensure the protection and conservation of the priceless historical inscriptions found on its doorjamb. The visitor itinerary must therefore be redirected through the north gate of the gopura.

2. The south-west corner of the enclosure is slated for reconstruction. Its molded coping of laterite is to be restored, using as many old coping stones as possible from the nearby stone storage lot. Missing stones are to be filled in using new laterite blocks
made in a style and motif identical to the ancient model.

3. A quick look at the various stones found in the storage lot, current out in the open air and not given any protection, highlights three categories of artifacts:

3.1. Laterite blocks, all of which could be easily reused for monument restoration (assorted blocks and molded coping components). A general principle applies here: Materials from a given monument should, wherever possible, be put back on the monument. Therefore, there is no reason for them to be kept in a stone storage plot.

3.2. Decorative carved sandstone pieces of large size (pediments in particular, some of which really belong in a museum). Among these, it is recommended that two or three of the most impressive be selected and put on display in the site’s intake center gallery as an introduction to the site visit. The others are to be conserved and put on public display in a covered shelter near the temple itinerary exit point.

3.3. Smaller decorative carved sandstone elements that could be a temptation for thieves. Although there are relatively few of such artifacts, they must be kept in a safe place. Three options are up for consideration by APSARA National Authority as to how to handle them ‎:

3.3.1. Put them in a small on-site depot (see below),

3.3.2. Put them in storage unit at the Angkor Conservation Office, in an area to be cleared out or built for this purpose,

3.3.3. Put them in a storage unit at the APSARA National Authority headquarters at Roluos. It is suggested that this be a centralized stone storage unit in an already existing building.

A specialist should be assigned to make a detailed inventory of the corpus of architectural artifacts (checking it against the inventory made previously). Such a task is fundamental upstream for the knowledge and analysis of that corpus, and likewise for determining the surface area and features of the sheltering and storage units needed to house the various artifacts.

4. Regarding a new ticket booth required as the needs evolve, the ad hoc group of experts ad hoc recommends putting the building up immediately to the left of the current entrance to the visitor intake gallery. A small stone storage unit could also be worked in, a possibility mentioned earlier (if it is eventually decided to set such a unit up on the site). In terms of architecture and to have it fit nicely into the context, the new building of modest size must be made in the likeness of the materials, proportions and colors of the adjacent buildings already built.

5. The experts agree with the new fence and sequencing gate recently put in the visitor intake gallery which guides exiting visitors towards the commercial zone. They also recommend that an identical fence be put in just off of the small building housing the existing ticket booth (including an access gate for vehicles carrying VIP visitors and a sequencing gate for regular tourists). The small building can be converted into a space for the pass and ticket control staff.

6. Stele models of two different sizes have been proposed for the Angkor monument sign system. The experts recommend that a third mid-size model be included. The choice to be made will be determined by the size and significance of the individual monument.

The sign system must include both:

6.1. The official UNESCO/World Heritage logo commonly used and

6.2. The APSARA National Authority logo.