Preservation Efforts: Renovation works at Bagan Archaeological Zone

The Bagan Archaeological Zone is one of the main attractions for the country’s tourism industry with numerous ancient edifices to observe.

To preserve this heritage buildings for long term existence, renovation works are being conducted without damaging the original designs.

The process has been carried out according to the set rules if the brick walls of the pagodas and temples are damaged. 

Deputy Director, Department of Archaeology and National Museum, Myint Than said "In Bagan, Renovation works are needed if the ancient pagodas and temples are damaged. In doing so, we do renovations for the damaged parts based on the traditional designs only if necessary.  As monuments are getting so old, base structures can’t resist if we do renovations for all parts of the structure. And replacing with new bricks from top of them can damage base structure also. In fact, we have to conduct renovations in line with the guidelines of renovation and maintenance."

He added that the replacement of new brick works is conducted only if was necessary, and if not, they do renovate with the original damaged bricks by restructuring those. And no fully replacement works are allowed if it was not necessary. 

Deputy Director, Department of Archaeology and National Museum, Myint Than said"Currently, pagodas and temples are not that much to renovate, but the replacement of new brick works are being conducted for the brick walls if necessary while using of the original bricks are not enough. For sure, we can’t do for all parts with newly replacement works."

The Central Myanmar City, Bagan, is strewn with more than 3,500 ancient monuments including stupas, temples, murals and sculptures. It was added to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2019. 

Deputy Director, Department of Archaeology and National Museum, Myint Than said "There are many wall-paintings, stucco works and structure designs of the temples and pagodas, which well-preserved through different eras. We do maintain and preserve systematically without damaging the original designs. If there any damages occur while doing renovation, it wouldn’t able to say about precious art works by seeing the temples and pagodas only.  So, we need to preserve all remaining things in the area and of course the original designs."

People are urged to participate in preserving and maintaining ancient pagodas and temples as well as sustainable and development works in Bagan.