Excavations and research activities are underway at four ancient lakes and after the conservation works, they will be presented to the public in their original functions, according to U Kyaw Myo Win, director at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture (Bagan Division)
Following the discovery of four lakes made of ancient bricks that have been used since the Bagan era, research and excavation works are being conducted to determine their original width and depth, after which the department will continue with the conservation work.
“There are four areas that have been identified as having the shape of ancient lakes. Now, we are doing excavations to know the width, volume and depth. After these activities, we will gradually start dredging for research. Then it will be followed by the conservation. We are now working on Oak lake, Ywa Haung Gyi lake, Phwa Saw Su Taung Pyae lake and Yay Taung Muni lake. If we can restore these ancient lakes, we will create a public destination to show them in their original functions,” he said.
It is impossible to predict how long it will take to research the widths and depths, and an important factor is to avoid hasty excavations as these are ancient lakes made of Bagan-era bricks, he added.
The department has resumed the excavation of ancient lakes since the end of Thingyan period, with a focus on the cleanliness of the Bagan zone and the maintenance of pagodas.
MT/ZN
