Nature and provenance of the sandstone used for Bayon style sculptures produced during the reign of Jayavarman VII

► We analyzed 57 Buddhist as well as Vişņuite and Śivaite sculptures of Bayon style. ► We analyzed samples from natural outcrops and quarries in central Cambodia. ► The great majority of the sculptures are made of a specific sandstone rich in volcanic detritus. ► A localized source of stone was exploited for the production of Bayon style sculptures. ► Similar sandstone is outcropping about 100 km east of Angkor, where traces of quarrying are found.