Benita Johnson
CONTAINING THOUSANDS of sculptures of the Buddha, the
Figure 1
View of the limestone cliff housing the Tam Ting caves as viewed from across the Mekong River.
Cultural Context
Tam Ting caves consist of two limestone caves, upper and lower, situated on the west bank of the Mekong River in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao P. D.R.). Tam Ting is an active Buddhist shrine and also one of the nation's major attractions for both Lao and foreign visitors (Fig. 1). Unfortunately, however, a growing number of tourists to the site has dramatically increased the potential for damage to the caves and their sculptures. Theft and a lack of security, inappropriate past restorations, the growth of mold, and infestation by wood borers, termites, and bats have all contributed to the deterioration of the caves.
Following a survey of conservation needs in Southeast Asia in 1990, Andrew Durham, then head of conservation at the National Gallery of Australia, suggested that the caves warranted an extensive conservation project but cautioned that there would be practical, ethical, and logistic difficulties associated with it (Durham 1991:37). He envisaged the project as having several progressive stages, the first of which was completed in October 1992.1 The objectives of Stage One were to
• identify and assess the nature of the site and its contents with particular reference to conservation and management parameters (including the range of artifact materials and techniques represented),
• survey the major physical features of the site and the spatial characteristics of its assemblages,
• outline the broad conservation and management issues,
• determine priorities for future conservation and project works, and
• provide a set of interim management recommendations.
World History
