Damage Assessment and Guidelines for Restoration Methods of Ancient Brick Structures at Sambor Prei Kuk, Cambodia

Many ancient brick structures have been recorded in the archaeological site of Sambor Prei Kuk. Most of these structures were considered to be built in the 7th century as religious facilities of royal city Isanapura and abandoned in the 15th century. Since then, the brick structures in this site had been covered by dense forest and suffered severe damage due to the tropical climate. This archaeological site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2017, and proper intervention is needed to preserve the remaining brick structures. The Sambor Prei Kuk Conservation Project carried out comprehensive research on the state of conservation for all 286 brick structures in this site. This project has developed a risk map, and carried out the survey of structural deformation and diagnosis of deterioration. Based on these surveys, the main causes of damage were identified: outward deformation of the base and foundation; thrust caused by the roof of the corbel arch; structural weakness at the door opening; fragmentation of brickwork by invasive vegetation; and impact of fallen tree. Finally, appropriate and acceptable restoration methods which can effectively stabilize and consolidate the brick structures to prevent further destruction while not negatively affecting the authenticity were discussed.

桑博普雷库克（Sambor Prei Kuk）考古遗址内已记录有大量古代砖构建筑。其中绝大多数被认为建于7世纪，曾作为王城伊桑普拉（Isanapura）的宗教设施，后于15世纪被废弃。自此之后，该遗址内的砖构建筑被茂密森林覆盖，且因热带气候遭受了严重损毁。该考古遗址于2017年被列入《世界遗产名录》，亟需开展适当干预以保护现存砖构建筑。桑博普雷库克保护项目对遗址内全部286处砖构建筑的保存现状开展了全面调研。该项目绘制了风险图谱，完成了结构变形勘测与劣化诊断工作。基于上述勘测结果，已明确损毁的主要成因：基座与基础向外变形；叠涩拱（corbel arch）拱顶产生的侧推力；门洞部位结构薄弱；入侵性植被导致砖砌体碎裂；以及倒落树木的冲击影响。最终，项目组探讨了既可以有效稳定、加固砖构建筑以防止进一步损毁，又不会对文物真实性造成负面影响的适宜且可接受的修复方案。