Phnom Penh (FN), Jul. 17 – The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts is honoured to inform the public that, in support of a Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Government and the Royal Government of Cambodia, there will be a return to Cambodia of an amazingly valuable Khmer treasure.

Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Dr. Phoeurng Sackona stated "this sculpture of Skanda on the Peacock is an astonishing example of the brilliance of our ancestors.

Skanda, the Hindu God of War, is rarely depicted in Cambodian art, but appears to have featured prominently in the Prasat Krachap temple complex. Its repatriation testifies to Cambodia's continuing commitment to finding and bringing back our ancestors' souls that departed from their motherland over a number of years, during a period of war.

"We are thrilled whenever we are able to re-acquire many of our precious cultural properties that have been illegally exported from Cambodia, including an extraordinary statue of Skanda and Shiva, which is expected soon to return to Cambodia and is believed to be from the same antechamber of Prasat Krachap as Skanda on a Peacock. These new returns and discoveries allow the Cambodian people and the world to regain invaluable knowledge about Cambodian culture and ancient history."
=FRESH NEWS