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Angkor
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Saving
Cambodia's Past
By Michael D. Coe, PhD
Now that Cambodia is back on its feet following the horrific
Khmer Rouge era, archaeologists from many nations (France,
Germany, Japan, Hungary, the US, Australia, New Zealand, and
Cambodia itself) are at work excavating, conserving and reconstructing
ancient Angkor and other national treasures. Visitors to this
wonderful country should know that several international organizations
are involved in coordinating many of these efforts, and are
worthy of their support.
One
of these is the Center for Khmer Studies, located in the beautiful
Wat Damnak in Siem Reap (the town adjacent to Angkor). Directed
by Dr. Philippe Peycam, the task of the Center is to foment
international scholarship on Khmer studies, to sponsor a program
of research fellowships, and to cooperate with and help Cambodian
institutions of higher learning. At the Center scholars -
Cambodians and foreigners alike . can participate in seminars
and use their ever-growing library. There is a close association
with such institutions as the World Monuments Fund (known
to many as the restorers of the great Preah Khan complex in
Angkor). More information can be found on the Center's Web
site:
www.khmerstudies.org.
Another
is the recently established Friends of Khmer Culture. Their
priority project is to help the National Museum of Cambodia,
located in Phnom Penh (Cambodia's capital). This magnificent
museum, which contains some of the greatest works of art ever
produced in Southeast Asia, was founded by the French in the
early 20th century, and housed in a beautiful building in
traditional style. During the Indo-China conflict and under
the Khmer Rouge, it suffered not from actual damage, but from
severe neglect. When my wife and I visited it in 1992, the
museum.s tile roof was leaking, and there was guano everywhere
from a huge population of bats that roosted in its attics.
These problems have been cleared up, but there is much still
to do regarding the rest of the infrastructure and the installation
and lighting of the incomparable sculptures and bronzes.
The
Friends of Khmer Culture have a Web site: www.khmerculture.net.
They can also be contacted at P.O.Box 164, Norfolk, CT 06058-9998.
Travel with Dr. Michael Coe on Far Horizon's
tours to Angkor.
You can read the full itinerary here.
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The
Royal Road of the Persian Empire
By Holly Pittman, PhD
Beisitun is the crux of the Persian Empire, which dominated
all of the Middle East from the sixth century B.C. until its
spectacular collapse at the hand of Alexander the Great. Located
on the road from Kermanshah to Susa, Darius the Great placed
his famous monumental relief high on the sheer rock face so
that all could see this billboard proclaiming his victory over
rebellious vassals and his unification of the lands of Iran
and West Asia under his suzerainty. And Beisitun is only the
beginning of the fabulous monuments of the Persian Empire in
southern Iran. From Beisitun the Royal Road leads to Susa, where
the palace of Darius is currently being excavated by an Iranian
team who is delighted to give an informed tour of the site.
From there the Royal Road moves out on to the Iranian plateau,
heading south toward Shiraz, the city of Nightingales and Roses.
Outside of Shiraz, in the heartland of Persia, (originally the
name of the province was Pars, the homeland of the Persians),
lies Pasaragadae, the residence and capital of the founder of
the Persian Empire, Cyrus the Great. His tomb rising in pristine
white above the fertile fields sums up the peaceful and clear
philosophy that underlay his vision of Empire. And finally the
Royal Road takes us to the literal heart of the Empire, to Persepolis,
the glorious ceremonial capital of Darius, at which in the most
splendid setting he received the "gifts" of his subjects.
Travel to Iran in May with Dr. Holly Pittman.
You can read the full itinerary here.
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(left)
The gates of
Perspolis.
(below)
Rock relief
at Beisitun.
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