The Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum in Siem Reap is set to exhibit 6,956 semi-precious crystal stones and other artefacts unearthed from recent excavations.

The new exhibition opens to the public tomorrow.

Archaeologists from the Apsara National Authority discovered the artefacts during excavations at the Kandal Sras Srong temple in 2020.

Kun Phally, director of the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum said, “the 6,956 semi-precious stones will be permanently displayed in the museum gallery.”

According to Phally, the permanent display will give the public, researchers and students access to the precious relics, and help present ancient Cambodian history, culture, religion and tradition.

Three types of semi-precious stone artefacts will be presented at the new exhibition, including purple amethyst, yellow citrine and white crystal.

In addition to the crystal displays, numerous other relics from the same location in the Kandal Sras Srong temple will be on show, including a sandstone turtle and metal objects.

Long Kosal, spokesman of the Apsara National Authority, said, “We want the public to understand the evidence of Khmer history as well as Khmer culture.”

“Especially, we want them to see how placing valuable items like crystals under the foundations of ancient buildings is part of Cambodia’s ancient culture.”

He added that semi-precious stones are found not only at Kandal Sras Srong, but also beneath every temple where archaeological teams work on rehabilitation.

“We always discover new and valuable ancient stuff.”

He noted that Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum museum also displays other precious finds, including 274 Buddha statues discovered at Banteay Kdei temple.

“We store the Buddha statues in the museum that were found in 2001 and some collections of relics that show how Khmer people lived during the prehistoric period,” Kosal added.

The museum offers free admission to the public the first Saturday of every month.