After Years of Searching, Cambodia Celebrates the Return of Its ‘Gods’

Amid the stone sculptures of Hindu demons, mythological temple guardians and Buddhist divinities, Cambodian officials this month recognized the success of lengthy years of repatriation efforts with a ceremony at the prime minister’s office in Phnom Penh. In a room filled with artifacts, officials formally welcomed the return of statues and other objects stolen from sites where the Khmer people, centuries ago, had once honored their kings and deities.

Many Cambodians believe the statues are divine or contain the souls of their Khmer ancestors. Hundreds had ended up in museums and other collections around the world.

After years of research and diplomacy, Cambodian officials, aided at times by U.S. investigators, convinced museums and wealthy collectors in 15 countries that the artifacts in their galleries and homes had been taken illegally, often from remote jungle sites. All told, since 2012, more than 200 relics have been repatriated.