This was the temple chosen by the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme-Orient to be left in its natural state, as an example of how most of Angkor looked on its discovery in the 19th century. This was an inspired decision, and involved a significant amount of work to prevent further collapse and enough clearing of vegetaton to allow entry. It has been maintained in this condition of apparent neglect. All in all, Ta Prohm has the romantic appeal of, say, a Piranesi ruin: partly overgrown and gently declining.