A collection of rare Cambodian artefacts have been restored to their home country with the help of an ANU archaeology expert.
Dr Dougald O’Reilly, a lecturer in the School of Archaeology and Anthropology, collaborated with the Australian Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet to help return a range of Cambodian antiquities that were looted and subsequently imported to Australia for sale.
As the director of Heritage Watch, a non-profit organisation based in Cambodia, Dr O’Reilly was called in to offer his expertise and liaise with the Cambodia government on behalf of the Australian government.
Dr O’Reilly said that the seizure and return of the items was important as they were rare and unusual relics dating to the Cambodian Iron Age, which lasted from 500 BC to AD 500.
“The artefacts were mostly bronze bangles that were worn on the wrists and ankles,” said Dr O’Reilly. “In some cases the seized bangles still had human remains on them.
“They represent the grave goods of an individual who was buried sometime between 1 and AD 500 and judging from the number of bronze bangles they were obviously wealthy individuals.
“In scientific excavations these types of items are rarely found. Little is known of this period and the sale of these artefacts represents the loss of massive amounts of scientific data on the period that preceded the rise of the state in Southeast Asia,” he said.
Dr O’Reilly added that the looting of artefacts is very common in Cambodia.
“Regrettably we are on the brink of losing nearly all our knowledge of the Prehistoric period there,” said Dr O’Reilly. “I am grateful to be involved in the repatriation of these items and the continuing struggle to reduce heritage destruction in Asia. I thank the Archaeological Association of Australia and the Australian government for their efforts.
“If excavation is not controlled we will lose all understanding of the development of this important part of the world,” he said.
The confiscated antiquities were returned to the Cambodian government in a ceremony at the Cambodian Embassy in Canberra on 10 March.