The unique sculpture was discovered near the Ta Prohm Temple in February. ANA

The sculpted body of a Buddha in an unusual pose was discovered by Apsara National Authority (ANA) specialists at the Ta Prohm Temple in February. It was found to be a perfect match with a head that was found in 1927.

As part of a collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the ANA archaeologists discovered the sculpture during the second phase of research outside the northeast corner of a laterite stone platform near the third hall of the temple.

The decorations and pose are unusual, with the sculpture’s left hand placed on its chest. ANA

This sculpture has been determined to match a sculpture of the Buddha’s head that was discovered at the same location in 1927, during the French colonial era. The head is preserved at the Angkor Conservation Centre.

According to Neth Simon, an archaeologist with the ANA, the body was among 29 fragments found by the team. This sculpture is in the Bayon art style, with the head, foot, and right hand missing. It measures 1.16 metres in height and 56 centimetres in width.

The body matches a head which was first uncovered in 1927, during the French colonial era. ANA

“Notably, it is adorned with jewelry and features a robe and sash, with a unique left hand gesture placed on the chest — an uncommon representation in Khmer art,” said Simon.

According to the ANA, experts compared and matched the newly discovered pieces with those found earlier, confirming that the Buddha body aligns with previously discovered arm and foot fragments from phase one of the research in July 2024.

“Thus, the missing parts of the broken Buddha sculpture are nearly restored to their original form. The only missing part that has not been found is the right hand,” said the ANA.