man that's depressing to see. Though it's interesting to hear the events of history that brought it's demise. However, whenever i go to a museum and see famous statues, i always wonder what the completed statues looked like.

What's more depressing? Starving families or broken stone atrwork? Try thinking of the broken artwork as another form of cultural expression.

Nice post, Moe. But, we all know that religion has been the prime reason for more killing (and destruction) than just about any other reason. Paradox, IMO.

What a shame! As you can probably guess I'm very keen on archiology myself and it is very saddening to see sights such as this from any culture.

It is sad to see that some have absolutely no respect for centuries of culture... it happens here too, more than i would like to admit, and the sights are awful. And, of course, a lot of blah-blah words are thrown, to soothe the public, and nobody does anything. I feel the same way, my friend - it's downright painful.

as always your heart shows in your photos very moving!! Do they not stand in testament to that whitch as happened ; and should be avoided? learn from their fate and fill your heart with remorse when you have thoughts such as caused this!!((ok I was moved:: ))

As much as I like museums, it comes to me that most of the stuff there is stolen in some way. They just say 'found'. Such a terrible thing; they make it look so cool with Indiana Jones and the like. Awesome photo, Moe. At least there is little left to enjoy. :0)

i love it. the right mood...

Thank you all very much for your feedback. I spent a day collecting texture resources out in Ayutthaya. Taking nothing but pictures, leaving nothing but footprints, killing nothing but time. :o)

JoeDoe apologies for seeming unconcerned about human starvation and suffering. I agree that these issues are far more important than a bunch of broken stones. And, you are right... like it or not, art theft and the destruction of historical sites is very sadly a darker reflection of a society and its culture.

Wow!!!!!! This is very cool:)

Wow Moe, this is a very striking, somber sight.

WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWw moeb...fantastic!! What beautiful ruins!! LOVE IT!! Hey have a wonderful Day:-) Kiss Eva

I get upset when seeing things like this, but I do have to remember that these things are hundreds, sometimes thousands of years old. I feel great just to be able to see them at all. And new things are constantly being discovered, like the chinese warrior statues that were found a few years ago in perfect condition. Those are cool. Anyway, great picture, you have a good eye for shots like these.

Thanks for sharing Moe... I love stuff like this... look at what they did during the Reformation...

Wow! Perfect Photo to make a render from! One of your best Photos, Ive seen. Not religion is killing people, only people, who doesnt understand (or misuse) religion are killing people.

Sorry for not being a bit more informative. Both Burma and Siam were kingdoms that were predominantly Buddhist (just as Myanmar and Thailand are today), so the invasion and the destruction of this capital was not motivated by religion. This temple was just one of the structures that happened to be there at the time, an innocent bystander almost.

What a texture paradise .. you are a lucky man moe... Well chosen angle/ perspective The fact that they are all headless lets me have an idea about what kind of criminal punishment was chosen over their.. Cpt.Dj might not depart on an Asian tour like he had planned to before seeing photos of the enimy terretory as Cpt Dj would say. lol .. joke

The one thing that never changes is change itself.

It's always tragic when priceless artwork is desecrated, rather than cherished, for personal gain or whatnot. You've caught that feeling of the story very well.

I think you raise some very important issues here. It is sad, for sure. It saddens me when I walk down the streets of the city I live in and see buildings and public parks defaced with grafitti. Some of it is very artistic but it belongs in a gallery, not on our public streets. Nice photo, Moe and even more so, very thought provoking. -- 3d_e

what is really the shameful thing is that this desecration is done by people who mouth words of praise for the art value of the pillaged items in an attempt to derive the maximum profit from their crime - vis. The Elgin Marbles faith does not suffer from these vandals, faith lives in the hearts of men and cannot be stolen

Great photo. It is sad what man's greed can do to his history. We certainly don't live in a perfect world, but some of us are trying. By posting this, you do your part. :o)

Exellent...I need those brick textures! chop chop cut paste now wheres my wall model at?