This image shows a rubbing on rice paper of a bas-relief from Angkor Wat, a temple complex in Cambodia. Bas-relief is a sculptural technique where the design is raised slightly from the background. These reliefs are not just artistic; they are historical records depicting daily life, mythological tales, and significant events. The Angkor Wat bas-reliefs reflect the fusion of Hindu and Buddhist influences in Khmer culture. Angkor Wat was originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu but later converted to a Buddhist temple. The complex, built in the 12th century, is a symbol of the Khmer Empire’s power and a major cultural landmark. This rubbing was made prior to the damage caused by the Khmer Rouge.