Children uncover ancient statues while bathing in Cambodia

Oct. 13, 2011: A boy walks in flood waters past a Buddha statue in Kampong Thom province. (REUTERS/Samrang Pring)

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Authorities in Cambodia say children bathing in a newly dug pond accidentally unearthed six ancient Buddhist statues believed to be around 1,000 years old.

Provincial Culture Department official Prak Sakhon says the statues were found Wednesday in Khleng Por, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of capital Phnom Penh.

Sakhon says the statues are believed to be from the ninth to the 12th centuries, with the biggest just over a half-meter (half-yard) tall and weighing about nine kilograms (20 pounds).

She said Friday the statues have been moved to a provincial museum while authorities investigate.

The pond had been dug recently and the statues were found buried in mud close to its banks.

Cambodia is home to a plethora of archaeological sites including the famed Angkok Wat temple complex.