The discovery of gold and silver artifacts in Laos, dating to the early days of the Khmer Empire, leads scientists to investigate how the priceless objects were made and where they might have originated. On their journey, they retrace the steps of the ancient kings and explore the sacred landscape around Vat Phou to learn more about this ancient civilization.
Film Interviewees
- Brice Vincent – Archaeologist
- Barbara Armbruster – Archaeologist and Goldsmith
- Pascal Mora – 3D Scanning & Photogrammetry Expert
- Christophe Pottier – Archaeologist and Architect
- Christine Hawixbrock – Archaeologist and Art Historian; Head of Mission archéologique française au Sud-Laos
- Souliya Bounxayhip – Archaeologist
- David Bourgarit – Archaeometallurgist
- Pasitsay Syphadky – Head of the Goldsmith Association, Savannakhet
- Dominique Soutif – Archaeologist
- Vissa Chanthaphasouk – Architect and Doctoral Student
- David Bazin – Head of École française d’Extrême-Orient Geomatic Laboratory, Champassak
Secrets of the Dead: Lost Treasures of Angkor – The Discovery is produced by NHNZ Worldwide in association with National Geographic, The WNET Group, ARTE France, and SBS Australia. Narrated by Jay O. Sanders. Producer & Director is Candida Hill. Executive Producers for NHNZ are Ben Lawrie and Sue Woodfield. Executive Producer for National Geographic is Sarah Peat. For Secrets of the Dead: Benjamin Phelps is supervising producer; Stephanie Carter is executive producer; Stephen Segaller is executive in charge.
Production Support for Lost Treasures of Angkor was provided by the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Rebate. Funding for Secrets of the Dead is provided by public television viewers.