Artefacts dating back to the eighth century Champa Kingdom have been discovered in the central province of Binh Thuan.

The ruins of a tower have been excavated on the border of Ham Thuan Bac and Bac Binh districts. Meanwhile, the head of a statue of Lord Shiva dating back to the eighth century was found near the site. It is among the most prized artefacts unearthed in the province so far.

Earlier, archaeologists unearthed stone axes, jars, ceramic pots and handicrafts at the Phu Truong site in Ham Thuan Bac District.

Artefacts were decorated with stripes, dots and depictions of fish bones that demonstrated a high-degree of sophistication, archaeologists said.

Nguyen Van Cuong, director of the Vietnam National Museum of History, said the Sa Huynh people (1,000 BC to AD 200) lived at the site.

Archaeologists have unearthed evidence of the Sa Huynh culture in the coastal districts of Ham Thuan Nam and Ham Thuan Bac, most of which are at risk of being illegal excavated or damaged by sand exploitation. /.