Myanmar, Korean Experts Eye Conservation Restart at Phayathonzu, NyaungU

The Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Bagan Branch) under the Ministry of Cul­ture, Hotels and Tourism is in discussions with a team of Korean experts to resume repair and conservation work at the Phayathonzu (Three interconnected shrines) in Minnanthu Vil­lage, NyaungU Township, Mandalay Region.

At present, conserva­tion work and research on ancient pagodas in the Ba­gan ancient cultural zone are being undertaken, in cooperation with expert teams from India and China. Plans are also underway to continue collaborating with Korean experts on conser­vation and research at Ba­gan’s ancient monuments.

Preserving mural painting works, structural conservation and geophysi­cal surveys of ancient struc­tures in the surrounding area have been carried out at Phayathonzu in Minnan­thu village. Discussions are ongoing to continue such work in the upcoming open season,” said an official from the Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Bagan Branch).

The Korean expert team previously worked in cooperation with depart­ment experts from 2017 to 2020. Engineers from the department are currently carrying out conservation and repair work on ancient structures in Bagan. In preparation for the upcom­ing tourist peak season, they are meeting with local busi­ness operators, conducting awareness sessions, clear­ing weeds that have grown during the rainy season, and carrying out environmental beautification work. — ASH/KK