Excavations and research activities are underway at four ancient lakes, and after the conservation work, 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 branch).
Following the discovery of four lakes made of ancient bricks that have been used since the Bagan era, research and excavation work is underway 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 determine the width, volume, and depth. After these activities, we will gradually start dredging for research. Then, it will be followed by conservation. We are now working on Oak Lake, Ywahaunggyi Lake, Phwasaw Sutaungpyae Lake and Yaytaung 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 find out the widths and depths, and an essential 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 the Thingyan period, with a focus on the cleanliness of the Bagan zone and the maintenance of pagodas. — MT/ZN
