Siem Reap-based Preah Norodom Sihanouk Angkor Museum (PNSAM) yesterday opened an exhibition featuring a collection of artefacts unearthed from the province recently to mark the International Museum Day.

International Museum Day is an annual event observed across the world on May 18. The exhibition  features more than 2,000 artefacts, including precious stones and crystals, will run until May 28.

Phouy Savoeut, acting director of PNSAM, said yesterday, “A lot of people have already visited the exhibition knowing that it is featuring artefacts found from Siem Reap, and it will be on display for only 10 days. All of those ancient treasures belong to the entire nation.”

Savoeut said he wanted more people to visit the exhibition and see the artefacts. He also appealed to the people to contribute to the national treasure by handing over artefacts they had been keeping at homes as valuables.

He added, “Besides the new items, the exhibition gives students and researchers the opportunity to see valuable ancient artefacts that highlight Khmer culture such as the Buddha footprint statue, vases, Khmer domestic equipment, among others.

A large sandstone pillar named “Thousand Buddhas”, a rare Khmer art in Bayon style, believed to have been created during the late 12th century, is one such unique artefact that is displayed at the exhibition.

Voeun Vibol Sokhom, a guide at the museum, said that the pillar has a special feature of 1,008 small Buddha images carved on its four sides that represent the “happiness of the universe”.

The Buddha footprint statue, which weighs about three tonnes, is another artefact that helps anyone who wishes to research Buddhist art and history with events that took place more than 600-700 years ago during the Angkor era, he added.

The Buddha footprint statue has been on display at the museum since May last year.

Kun Phally, head of the exhibition team at the museum, said that the ancient sandstone Buddha footprint was carved between 14th and 16th centuries.

It is  2.1m long, 1.15m wide, and 31cm high. The statue at one time was painted in black, red, and gold, he added.

Studies show that the Buddha Footprint statue was considered by the ancient Cambodian people as an important object of worship for Theravada Buddhism.