A new exhibition in Edmonton offers a look back at one of Asia's greatest empires.
Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia It opened at the Royal Alberta Museum on Friday.
The interactive exhibition features more than 120 artifacts from Cambodia's Khmer Empire and its famous capital, Angkor.
“The temples of Angkor have a rich history, and we are excited to have some of their treasures coming to Alberta in this incredible exhibition,” Tanya Fair, Minister of Fine Arts, Culture and the Status of Women, said in a press release on Friday.
The Khmer Empire ruled from the ninth to the fifteenth centuries, ruling what is not known today as Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and parts of southern China and Myanmar.
The interactive exhibit will share the history of the era through films, audio-visual displays, and original and recreated artifacts.
Visitors can also learn more about the scientific methods used in excavation and mapping and learn more about the empire and its enormous cities and temples.
The exhibition was brought to the museum in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia.
Kong Phyrek, Minister of State and Minister of Culture and Fine Arts of the Government of Cambodia, said the Angkor temple represents the “identity and spirit” of the Khmer nation.
“Although Angkor has become part of our history, many cultural legacies, especially intangible heritage, still exist and are kept alive by local people today, as you will see in this exhibition,” Viereck said in the statement.
The exhibition will remain at the museum until July 28. Admission is included with general admission.