Archaelogists have found new architectural vestiges in an excavation area to the northeast of the Kinh Thien Palace relic in the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hanoi. (Photo: VNA) The finding was announcedat a recent scientific seminar on the outcomes of excavations conducted at the Kinh Thien Palace relic during 2022.
The newly-found vestiges are believed to dateback to the Ly, Tran, Le So (Early Le), Le Trung Hung (Revival Le) and Nguyendynasties. They provide more insightsinto the structure and scale of the main part of Kinh Thien Palace during theLe dynasty.
The excavation during 2022revealed vestiges of the Dan Tri courtyard and the royal road under the Le Soand Le Trung Hung dynasties.
Archaelogists also foundremnants of a big wall running from East to West, with many sewers under thewall, foundations of pillars, and square floor tiles.
Besides the architecturalvestiges, thousands of artefacts were also discovered, from bricks and tiles,earthenware, stoneware, metal and stone objects, which are believed to beconstruction materials and daily objects of the royal families.
At the seminar, scientists agreed that thefindings have provided more evidence with high accuracy about the Kinh ThienPalace.
Excavation at the ancient Thang Long Citadel has been going on for 20 years,which has revealed many architectural vestiges of palaces and countless artefacts.They have allowed scientists to have a clearer vision about the architecture ofKinh Thien Palace and the palace’s space. However, the restoration of the spaceof Kinh Thien Palace is obstructed by the building of the Defence Ministry’sOperation Department. The Thang Long – Ha Noi Heritage Conservation Centre andscientists are coordinating to seek the most appropriate solution to theproblem.
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a complex of historic imperialbuildings located in the centre of Hanoi, Vietnam. It was first constructed in1011 under the reign of King Ly Thai To of the Ly dynasty. Situated in theheart of Hanoi, the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is anoutstanding place of interest not only for the capital city but also for thecountry as a whole. The site is one of the ten special national heritage sitesproclaimed by the Prime Minister in 2009 and was inscribed on the WorldHeritage List by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in 2010. Its OutstandingUniversal Values are reflected in its historical longevity, its continuous roleas a seat of power, and its multiple cultural layers.
Accordingto Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu (Complete Annals of Dai Viet), the palace was builtin 1428 under the reign of King Le Thai To (1428-33) and completed in the reignof King Le Thanh Tong (1442-97).
Duringthe French colonial period, the colonialists demolished the Palace and built anartillery headquarters there. The building was then called the Dragon House asits front and back had the statues of stone dragons.
Presently,the remaining vestige of the ancient palace in the ImperialCitadel of Thang Long is its base.
Associate Professor Nguyen Quang Ngoc,Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences, said ata recent workshop to review 20 years of researching, preserving and promotingthe heritage value of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long-Hanoi that with thecurrent rate of excavation, it will take another hundred years to complete thearchaeological study of the Imperial Citadel. Therefore, Ngoc suggested that it is notnecessary to wait until excavation is completed to start the restorationactivity. He said the work should be carried out immediately based on the newlyobtained excavation results. /.
VNA
