MAG Deminers Uncover Precious, Ancient Bells
Story taken from The Phnom Penh Post
Two rare, ornately patterned bells dating back more than 2,000 years were presented to the National Museum in Phnom Penh on the 10th of September after being unearthed in a demining Operation.
The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) unearthed the bells, which are in excellent condition, during a routine demining operation. They are believed to date from around 200 BC, and were officially presented to the National Museum in a handover ceremony.
Khun Samen, director of the National Museum said they were an important find.
"They are very rare artifacts," he said."They are a witness to ancient culture in Cambodia, and to the ancient bronze casting techniques."
The bells (believed to be 2000 years old) are presented to the Cambodian National Museum
MAG demining teams have cleared numerous religious sites in Cambodia as they are a high priority for communities as they rebuild their lives after decades of conflict. A very significant temple in Tapon village, Battambang Province, was cleared in 1997. It dated back to pre Ankorian times, some 1500 years ago, and is now visited by people from across the region.
The bells, which may have been used for cremations or religious ceremonies, are the oldest find for the National Museum in many years. They were found by MAG deminers Chey Veth, Nov Nath and Hong Ra as they were clearing road in the Chrey Krem village in Pursat Province on August 14.
"They found [the bells] while searching for mines," said Pheap Mono, MAG's regional manager for Battambang and Pursat provinces. "They were using a mine detector and had a very high reading. They were not clear whether it was a mine or something else, so they removed the earth very gently. When they saw the patterns on the bells they thought they must be very old and felt very happy."
A MAG technician points to where the bells were found during a demining operation
The bells were taken back to the deminers' accommodation overnight. The village chief and department of arts and culture were advised, and the bells were taken to Phnom Penh where they are being restored. Museum director Khun Samen said he was grateful for MAG's efforts.
"We are very happy [because] we have another treasure for the museum, the public and the world," he said. "MAG has done a good deed for the whole world."
MAG is very grateful to Anti-Landmijn Stichting who fund the teams working in Pursat Province.
September 2002
