Choeung Ek, Genocide memorial site in Kandal Province, Cambodia.
Choeung Ek is a memorial site in Kandal Province, Cambodia, dedicated to the victims of terror during the late 1970s. The central structure is a glass-walled stupa that holds more than 8000 human skulls and bones recovered from mass graves scattered across the grounds.
From 1975 to 1978, more than 17,000 people were brought here from S-21 prison for execution in what was once an orchard. The site was discovered in 1980 when survivors and authorities began to document and excavate the mass graves.
This place preserves the memory of those who died here, with Buddhist traditions shaping how visitors and local communities approach the site. People light incense and observe moments of silence as they walk through the grounds.
Audio guides in several languages explain 15 stations across the grounds and help visitors understand the site. Most people spend around two hours here, and sturdy footwear is recommended for the unpaved paths.
After heavy rain, bone fragments and pieces of clothing continue to emerge from the 129 mass graves, with 43 deliberately left undisturbed. These graves serve as evidence and as a mark of respect for those buried there.
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