Dougald O’Reilly is an archaeologist and the founder and director of Heritage Watch, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of Southeast Asia’s cultural heritage. We chatted with Dougald by e-mail in a conversation that traversed looting, antiquities trafficking, Cambodia’s struggle to preserve its history and, well, he did mention Tomb Raider once.
Travel better, travel smarter
Save money, receive our latest updates and get the most out of your travels.
What is Heritage Watch’s raison d’etre? Heritage Watch was founded in 2003 due to the alarming rate of heritage destruction in Cambodia. This seems to have been initiated by the illegal excavation of a site called Phum Snay. The finds at Snay led others around Cambodia to look for ancient burials and a massive trade in carnelian and agate and other artefacts grew. The organisation is dedicated to slowing the trade in antiquities and the looting of archaeological sites in Cambodia, both temple sites and archaeological sites older than the Angkor Civilization.
Priceless. Photo: Matt French
How does looting take place today in Cambodia? It’s not just above-the-ground, is it? Looting is still prevalent in Cambodia, even though the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (MoCFA) has made good efforts to stop it. There are so many sites and not enough resources to stop impoverished locals digging ancient sites. In fact, most of the looting is sub-surface although temple sites are still targeted.
What is the most brazen looting occurrence you’re aware of? Perhaps the most brazen incidence of looting occurred at Banteay Chhmar temple in Banteay Meanchey Province when in the mid-1990s a huge section of wall was stolen. Several metres of the wall, part of the outer enclosure of the Jayavarman VII temple, depicted a multi-armed Avalokisvara. Fortunately the truck carrying the wall was stopped at the Thai border before it left Cambodia and now rests in the National Museum in ... Travelfish members only (Around 700 more words) ... please log in to read the rest of this story.
Don’t miss the boat!
Please subscribe to Travelfish.org to read the rest of this article, or log in here.
Subscribing to Travelfish costs A$35 per year and it gets you access to more than 200 downloadable guides to specific destinations, fabulous discount coupons and 50% off our personalised travel planning service. Sign up here.
By
Samantha Brown.
Last updated on 31st July, 2017.
Popular attractions in Angkor
A selection of some of our favourite sights and activities around Angkor.
What next?
Check out our listings of things to do in and around Angkor.
Read up on how to get to Angkor, or book your transport online with Camboticket.
Do you have travel insurance yet? If not, find out why you need it.
Planning on riding a scooter in Angkor? Please read this.
Browse the web securely while travelling with TunnelBear. Try with a 7–day free trial.