Jean Commaille's Tomb, Cambodia
Copyright © Timothy Tye. Stock Photo for Sale
Jean Commaille's Tomb
Cambodia
Jean Commaille's Tomb is located on the southwest across the road from the Bayon. He was the director of the École Française d'Extrême-Orient, the French institution involved in the conservation of Angkor, during the turn of the 20th century. He was the first among a string of conservators who worked on restoring the ruins of Angkor, and was followed by other men such as Henri Manchal, Maurice Glaize and Bernard-Philippe Groslier.
In 1916, Commaille was murdered by bandits who took with them the week's wages for his workmen. At that time, Commaille had employed workmen to clear the undergrowth choking Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. He never got to see the full restoration of the ruins. A tomb was built in his memory.
