U.S. Government Assistance for Cambodian Cultural Heritage Preservation Since 2001
Total U.S. Government Assistance: $5,590,086
Assistance from Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation only: $4,486,433
Funding for Conservation of Phnom Bakheng Temple: $3,529,000
Funding for Conservation of Preah Vihear Temple: $767,468
Organization of Cambodia Site Protection, Monitoring, and Documenting Looting Training Project in Cambodia (additional funds)
$14,740 (U.S. Department of State – Cultural Antiquities Task Force)
Goal: To support lectures and hands-on training related to heritage site monitoring, recording practices, looting documentation techniques, records management, collaboration with law enforcement, and data sharing with Cambodian officials and international partners. This program supports the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia Concerning the Imposition of Import Restrictions on Archaeological Material from Cambodia.
Partner: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Location: Phnom Penh, Banteay Meanchey
Year: 2023
Site Security Educational Program for Archeological Site of Sambor Prei Kuk, Ishanapura as part of Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grants (CPAIG) 2022
$50,600 (Cultural Antiquities Task Force – CPAIG 2022)
Goal: To raise awareness on cultural heritage protection for local communities in the ten villages of protected zone of the Sambor Prei Kuk World Heritage Site and to build capacity for law enforcement through workshops and public educational materials.
Partner: Sambor Prei Kuk National Authority
Location: Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological Site, Kampong Thom
Year: 2022
Conservation of Northern Staircase of the 11th-Century Temple of Preah Vihear Temple, Phase 4
$360,804 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassador Funds for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: Conservation and restoration works of ancient drainage system along both sides of the staircase, restoration of section 11 to section 14 of the staircase and ornamented lion sculptures, and public awareness campaign on conservation works of Preah Vihear temple.
Partner: National Authority for Preah Vihear
Location: Preah Vihear
Year: 2022
Conservation of Northern Staircase of the 11th-Century Temple of Preah Vihear Temple, Phase 3
$86,664 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassador Funds for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: Conservation and restoration works of ancient drainage system along both sides of the staircase, restoration of section 6 to section 7 of the staircase and ornamented lion sculptures, and public awareness campaign on conservation works of Preah Vihear temple.
Partner: National Authority for Preah Vihear
Location: Preah Vihear
Year: 2021
National Museum- Provincial Museum Collection Database Project as part of CPAIG 2021
$57,300 (Cultural Antiquities Task Force – Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grants)
Goal: To extend the current database system of the National Museum of Cambodia to 6 selected provincial museums by managing museums’ collection inventories with numbering systems through storage in a database system with long-term security and accessibility. These museum collections will be available online for public’s educational and scientific purposes.
Partner: Department of Museums, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Location: 6 selected provincial museums in Cambodia (Pursat, Takeo, Angkor Borei, Kompong Thom, Kompong Chhnang, Prey Veng)
Year: 2021
Conservation of the Northern Staircase of the 11th-Century Temple of Preah Vihear, Phase 2
$120,000 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: Conservation and restoration works of ancient drainage system along both sides of the staircase, restoration works section 2,3, and 4 of the staircases and public awareness campaign on conservation works of Preah Vihear temple.
Partner: National Authority for Preah Vihear
Location: Preah Vihear
Year: 2020
Continuation of the Conservation of the 10th Century Temple of Phnom Bakheng Temple, Phase 6B1
$300,000 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To advance the conservation program designed for the western half of the temple pyramid. That includes:
- Disassembly of walls, terraces, and shrines that are structurally unsound;
- Repair of the temple’s foundation;
- Stone conservation;
- Installation of waterproofing systems to ensure long-term preservationsustainability; and
- Reassembly of walls and terraces.
Partner: World Monuments Fund
Location: Siem Reap
Year: 2020
Conservation of 20th-Century Ethnographic Objects at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, Phase 2
$75,000 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To conduct textile conservation and collections care training, documentation and collection of remaining victim’s clothing, which has not yet been preserved in Phase I.
Partner: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Location: Phnom Penh
Year: 2019
Organization of Cambodia Site Protection, Monitoring, and Documenting Looting Training Project in Cambodia (Postponed due to COVID19)
$50,653 (U.S. Department of State – Cultural Antiquities Task Force)
Goal: To support lectures and hands-on training related to heritage site monitoring, recording practices, looting documentation techniques, records management, collaboration with law enforcement, and data sharing with Cambodian officials and international partners. This program supports the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia Concerning the Imposition of Import Restrictions on Archaeological Material from Cambodia.
Partner: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Location: Phnom Penh, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap
Year: 2019
Conservation of the Northern Staircase of the 11th-Century Temple of Preah Vihear
$200,000 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To support the comprehensive documentation of the current state of the staircase to be utilized as a basic document for conservation and restoration of the staircase and future monitoring. That includes
- Archaeological, architectural, engineering and water system survey is completed.
- Methodology and work plan for conservation and restoration is developed.
- A portion of the ancient staircase structure is selected to propose for pilot of conservation methodology.
Partner: National Authority for Preah Vihear
Location: Preah Vihear
Year: 2018
Documentation of the Phloy and Khaen Two Traditional Mouth Organs of Cambodia
$17,600 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To document and preserve the Phloy and Khaen Cambodian mouth organs through audiovisual documentations of repertoires, techniques and cultural-ceremonial contexts
Partner: Cambodian Living Arts
Location: Areng valley, Koh Kong province and Samrong district, Oddar Meanchey province
Year: 2018
Geological Investigation of Red Sandstone at Banteay Srey Temple in Siem Reap
$19,770 (U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh)
Goal: To support the geological investigation of red sandstone at Banteay Srey Temple, Siem Reap province.
Partner: Institute of Technology of Cambodia and APSARA Authority
Location: Siem Reap
Year: 2017
Improvement of Exhibition and Education Program for the Angkor Borei Museum in Takeo
$20,000 (U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh)
Goal: To support the improvement of exhibition and education program for the Angkor Borei Museum in Angkor Borei, Takeo province.
Partner: National Museum of Cambodia, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Location: Angkor Borei, Takeo
Year: 2017
Conservation of 20th-Century Ethnographic Objects at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh
$55,510 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To conduct textile conservation and collections care training, documentation and collection, and set-up of controlled storage system.
Partner: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Location: Phnom Penh
Year: 2017
Continuation of the Conservation of the 10th Century Temple of Phnom Bakheng Temple, Phase 5
$350,000 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To advance and complete the restoration of the east half of the pyramid of the 10th century Temple of Phnom Bakheng at Angkor Archaeological Park according to a design that has been elaborated in earlier phases of the project.
Partner: World Monuments Fund
Location: Siem Reap
Year: 2017
Documentation of Late 6th- and Early 7th-Century Khmer Monuments in Cambodia’s Southern Provinces
$121,745 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To carry out a three-year project to document and integrate inventories of Cambodian artifacts throughout Cambodia.
Partner: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Location: 24 sites in the provinces of Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampot, Prey Veng, Takeo and Tbong Khmum
Year: 2016
Continuation of the Conservation of Phnom Bakheng Temple, Phase 4
$450,000 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To continue work to conserve the 10th century Temple of Phnom Bakheng at Angkor Archaeological Park, specifically stone and brick masonry conservation and replacement, water-proofing, and stabilization as needed.
Partner: World Monuments Fund
Location: Siem Reap
Year: 2015
Training Workshop on Cultural Heritage Site Security: Reducing Theft and Loss of Cultural Artifacts
$120,196 (U.S. Department of State)
Goal: To provide technical assistance in cultural resource management and security to Cambodia in the implementation of Article II of the bilateral cultural memorandum of understanding, as part of an effort to develop sustainable strategies for protecting cultural resources by training diverse professionals in the methodology and application of theft and loss reduction.
Partner: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and Kingsbury & Kingsbury, Ltd.
Location: Phnom Penh and Banteay Meanchey province
Year: 2015
Public Awareness Campaign to Protect Cambodian Cultural Heritage
$28,325 (U.S. Department of State)
Goal: To collect data, photos, and video of archaeological sites, historic monuments, prominent ancient artifacts, and other conservation and restoration activities that have been carried out.
Partner: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Location: Phnom Penh and various provinces
Year: 2015
Continuation of the Conservation of Phnom Bakheng Temple, Phase 3
$450,000 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To continue work to conserve the 10th century Temple of Phnom Bakheng at Angkor Archaeological Park, specifically utilizing existing laterite and sandstone when possible and inserting replacement blocks and pavers in locations where new materials are necessary for protecting against water infiltration and improving stability.
Partner: World Monuments Fund
Location: Siem Reap
Year: 2013
Public Awareness Campaign Regarding Cultural Property Crimes
$20,150 (U.S. Department of State)
Goal: To raise awareness among the general public about the consequences of cultural theft through billboards at major border checkpoints and the distribution of brochures and posters.
Partner: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Location: Phnom Penh and various provinces
Year: 2013
Training Workshop on Investigation, Prosecution, and Adjudication of Cultural Property Crimes
$18,895 (U.S. Department of State)
Goal: To provide authorities with the necessary skills to appropriately prosecute criminal cases related to cultural heritage violations based on Cambodian antiquities laws and couched within the framework of international conventions. These skills dovetail with the work of heritage protection police and other national law enforcement officials to curb looting at cultural heritage sites and the theft and illicit trafficking of Cambodian antiquities.
Partner: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Location: Phnom Penh
Year: 2013
Documentation of Newly Discovered Archaeological Sites
$47,000 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To map, document, and preserve newly discovered Angkorian sites on Phnom Kulen.
Partner: Archaeology and Development Foundation
Location: Siem Reap
Year: 2013
Documentation of Cambodian Antiquities
$65,720 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To carry out a three-year project to document and integrate inventories of Cambodian artifacts throughout Cambodia.
Partner: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Location: Various locations around the country
Year: 2012
Salvage Archaeological Excavation and Preservation of Kuk Treas pre-Angkorian Site in Banteay Chhmar
$17,150 (U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh)
Goal: The project aimed to conserve, observe, and collect data from archaeological remains located underground at the Kuk Treas site, before construction of National Road No. 56 from Banteay Meaanchey to Udor Meanchey, which passes through the Banteay Chhmar temple.
Partner: Ministry of Public Works and Transportation and Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Location: Banteay Meanchey
Year: 2012
Conservation and Enhancement of Cambodian Cultural Heritage
$5,285 (U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh)
Goal: To conduct a one-day seminar for interested researchers and heritage conservation authorities to discuss concrete measures for the protection of archaeological sites and investments in heritage protection work, research, and education.
Partner: Institute of Arts and Culture and Royal Academy of Cambodia
Location: Phnom Penh
Year: 2012
Producing “Forgotten Cambodian Song” CD, Volume 2
$21,990 (U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh)
Goal: To produce “Forgotten Cambodian Song” CD, Volume 2, which builds on the successful pilot project in 2009 that gathered 54 Cambodian traditional songs (words and music) in the production of a “Forgotten Songs” CD. The CD was based on the book “Cambodian Songs” published in 1921 by the Company of Indochinese Studies (“Société des Etudes Indochinoises). Bophana Center will record aging Cambodian traditional singers and musicians for the new CD.
Partner: Bophana Center
Location: Phnom Penh
Year: 2012
Phase II: Conservation of Phnom Bakheng Temple, Angkor Archeological Zone — Stabilization and Restoration of the North and South Elevations
$450,000 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To continue work to conserve the 10th century Temple of Phnom Bakheng at Angkor Archaeological Park, specifically the conservation of the North and South Elevations of the temple according to methods successfully applied previously on the East Elevation.
Partner: World Monuments Fund
Location: Siem Reap
Year: 2011
Documentation of Three Khmer Music Traditions by Cambodian Living Arts
$52,520 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To archive and create access to three endangered music forms and create recordings in Phnom Penh and throughout Cambodia.
Partner: Cambodian Living Arts
Location: Phnom Penh
Year: 2011
Embodied Traditional Knowledge: Khmer Classical Dance Technique and Rituals
$37,395 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: The project addresses the potential loss of expertise through the training of dance teachers in the meaning of the sampeah kru ritual by sustaining and documenting the teacher-student relationship at the core of the practice of this art, along with the gestural vocabulary, pedagogical techniques, dance stories, melodies, and costumes related to the “female” character in classical dance.
Partner: Khmer Arts Academy
Location: Kandal
Year: 2010
The Conservation and Preservation of Metal Art Object at Wat Rajabo’s Collection
$12,100 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To preserve 12th century and other metal art objects in the Wat (temple) Rajabo Collection.
Partner: National Museum of Cambodia
Location: Siem Reap
Year: 2009
Database Implementation and Archive Preservation Project
$45,386 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To preserve the archive at the National Museum of Cambodia.
Partner: National Museum of Cambodia
Location: Phnom Penh
Year: 2008
Phase II: Conservation of Phnom Bakheng Temple, Angkor Archeological Zone — Stabilization and Restoration of the East Elevation
$979,000 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To protect the 10th century Temple of Phnom Bakheng at Angkor Archaeological Park from further deterioration through the stabilization, water-proofing, repair, and partial reconstruction of the temple’s primary East Elevation, the most visible and most heavily damaged part of the site.
Partner: World Monuments Fund
Location: Siem Reap
Year: 2008
Heritage Management at Prasat Han Chey, Phase II
$44,301 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To complete the restoration and public awareness campaign for Prasat Han Chey temple.
Partner: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Location: Kampong Cham
Year: 2007
Cambodian Object Inventory Project
$29,800 (U.S. Department of State)
Goal: To secure the collection of uninventoried archaeological artifacts by entering them in a newly created national inventory database.
Partner: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Location: Various provinces
Year: 2007
Heritage Management at Prasat Han Chey
$45,015 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To maintain, restore, and raise public awareness of Prasat Han Chey temple.
Partner: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Location: Kampong Cham
Year: 2006
Cheung Ek Circular Earthwork Archaeological and Cultural Resource Management Investigations
$9,553 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To conduct academic research, training, public education, and cultural resource management of circular earthwork formations and other archaeological sites at Cheung Ek.
Partner: Royal Academy of Cambodia
Location: Kandal
Year: 2006
Metal Conservation Lab
$15,000 (Smithsonian Institution Freer/Sackler Gallery of Asian Art)
Goal: To train metal conservation practitioners and conduct a laboratory for conserving metal objects.
Partner: National Museum of Cambodia, Getty Conservation Institute ($125,950), and the Global Heritage Fund ($12,000)
Location: Phnom Penh
Year: 2005
Rescue Archaeological Excavation at Koh Jas
$31,400 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To save valuable scientific data from loss due to looting and train young Cambodian archaeologists.
Partner: HeritageWatch
Location: Banteay Meanchey
Year: 2005
Archaeological Excavation at Krasang Thmei
$12,690 (U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh)
Goal: To conduct excavation and anthropological research and train young Cambodian archaeologists.
Partner: Royal University of Fine Arts
Location: Banteay Meanchey
Year: 2004
Preservation of Phnom Bakheng Temple Complex
$550,000 (U.S. Department of State –Economic Support Fund)
Goal: To implement emergency conservation measures, archaeological research, and long-term plans for the conservation and presentation of the 10th century Temple of Phnom Bakheng at Angkor Archaeological Park.
Partner: World Monuments Fund
Location: Siem Reap
Year: 2004
Heritage Education Program
$34,900 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To carry out a nationwide education program on the importance of protecting Cambodia’s cultural heritage.
Partner: HeritageWatch
Location: Various provinces
Year: 2004
Kbal Neakta: Public Awareness Documentary to Fight Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property of Cambodia
$2,000 (U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh)
Goal: To produce a documentary film targeting a Cambodian national audience to raise awareness on the importance of protecting Cambodia’s cultural heritage.
Partner: UNESCO
Location: Various provinces
Year: 2004
Folklore Recovery Project
$29,820 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To collect, conserve, and publish 30 traditional Cambodian oral folktales in both Khmer and English.
Partner: Buddhist Institute
Location: Phnom Penh and various provinces
Year: 2003
Preservation of Lakhaon Kaol
$15,000 (U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh)
Goal: To research, revive, and stage a new production of a story from the Ramayana and making it a permanent part of the performance repertoire.
Partner: Amrita Performing Arts
Location: Phnom Penh
Year: 2003
Mapping of Mimotien Circular Earthwork Sites
$8,740 (U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh
Goal: To better understand the rare archaeological structures and improve management of the cultural heritage site.
Partner: Royal University of Fine Arts
Location: Kampong Cham
Year: 2003
Phnom Borei and Its Relationship to Angkor Borei
$7,919 (U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh)
Goal: To conduct an archaeological investigation and explore the relationship between two ancient Khmer settlements.
Partner: Institute of Culture and Fine Arts and Royal Academy of Cambodia
Location: Takeo
Year: 2003
Krasang Thmei Archaeological Data Analysis
$5,500 (U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh)
Goal: To explore what this ancient cemetery reveals about the history and culture of the past.
Partner: Royal University of Fine Arts/
Location: Banteay Meanchey
Year: 2003
Ceramics Conservation
$11,950 (U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh)
Goal: To carry out ceramics conservation, digital recording of conservation treatments, and student training.
Partner: National Museum of Cambodia and Royal University of Fine Arts
Location: Phnom Penh
Year: 2001
Preservation of Ancient Books and Manuscripts
$15,000 (U.S. Department of State – Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation)
Goal: To preserve rare historical books and palm leaf manuscripts from the 19th century.
Partner: National Library of Cambodia
Location: Phnom Penh
Year: 2001
Updated as of 09/01/2022
