Cambodia celebrated the return of more than 70 antiquities looted during the conflict years on August 22, 2024. The country recently also welcomed back a famous statue of the Hindu elephant god, Ganesh, and a 10th century ‘Skanda on a Peacock’ statue.
A ceremony to commemorate the latest return of looted Khmer artefacts was held at the Peace Palace on August 22, which was presided over by Prime Minister Hun Manet. The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh’s Chargé d’Affaires, Bridgette Walker, was also in attendance.
According to the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, these 70 cultural objects were returned from the United States – 14 were returned from The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and 56 others were returned from private collectors after being seized by U.S. Authorities.
Made of sandstone and bronze, the returned artefacts include those which date back to the 7th century pre-Angkorian period, as well as those from the Angkorian period between the 9th and 13th centuries.
At the ceremony on August 22, Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that these artefacts are invaluable to the Cambodian people, as they are the rightful owners of these cultural treasures. He added that the reacquisition of these artefacts symbolises the reunion of the souls of Khmer ancestors.
“The return of these artefacts is a significant step in healing the emotional wounds of Cambodia and its people, who suffered during the decades-long civil war and the tragedy of the Khmer Rouge genocide,” he said.
Artefacts Returned To Cambodia
In the past, Cambodian cultural artefacts have been repatriated from various collections, such as from the Lindemann family, Jim Clark, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and other private collectors in the United States.
Phoeung Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, shared that many ancient cultural objects have been returned to Cambodia in recent years as a result of negotiation and legal action, while some were also voluntarily handed over.
She added that between 2021 and 2024, 106 cultural objects, including jewelry and other artefacts made from sandstone and metal, were returned to Cambodia from the United Kingdom by the family of notorious British art dealer and smuggler, Douglas Latchford. Between 2022 and 2024, another 114 artefacts were repatriated from museums and private collectors in the United States, made from both sandstone and metal.
Cambodia-United States Cultural Cooperation
According to a press release issued by the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, the United States government has so far facilitated the return of over 150 antiquities, including previous returns of the statue of the Hindu elephant god, Ganesh, and the 10th century ‘Skanda on a Peacock’ statue, which are both currently on display at the National Museum of Cambodia.
“The United States is a committed and reliable partner for protecting the cultural heritage of Cambodia,” said Bridgette Walker. “Returning looted artefacts to their rightful home is the right thing to do.”
The release added that these returns were made possible under the bilateral cultural property memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Cambodia and the United States, which both countries renewed in August 2023 for an additional five years.
Since signing the first agreement in 2003, the United States has helped to train heritage protection professionals, prevent the further pillaging of antiquities, and facilitate the return of looted artefacts from private collections and galleries throughout the United States.
Cambodia’s cultural cooperation with the U.S. also includes a total investment of USD 6 million for cultural preservation through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation and other projects. Activities under this fund have included the restoration of the 9th century temples of Phnom Bakheng in the Angkor Archaeological Park, as well as of Preah Vihear Temple in northern Cambodia.