An elephant-sculptured pedestal found in the recent excavation of the Phong Le relic site (Photo: VNA) Da Nang (VNA) – Archaeologistsunveiled new findings in the recent excavation of Phong Le relic site datingback to the Champa era (from the 2nd century until 1832) in Hoa Tho Dong wardof Cam Le district, in the central city of Da Nang, on August 21.
In two previous excavations in 2011 and 2012,researchers discovered many items as well as the almost complete groundstructure of a Champa tower.
The latest efforts from July 17 to August 17focused on an area of over 300 sq.m, said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Hong Son fromthe University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam NationalUniversity Hanoi.
In the northwest area of the exaction site, theyfound the ground of an architectural structure with rammed brown red earthmixed with crushed brick powder. The rammed earth layer is 4.2m long and 3.9m wideand stretches beyond the excavation area.
In the southwest of the site, they alsounearthed a brick ground that is about 80m long and 1.41m wide. Many pieces ofroof tiles and ceramics from China’s Song dynasty (960 – 1279) were alsodiscovered around the area. The location and traces of those tile and ceramicpieces showed that this could be a long structure in front of the gopura(gate-tower) of the Phong Le relic site, Son said.
Sone items discovered in the excavation are displayed on August 21 (Photo: VNA) He added that archaeologists also found a numberof items, including bricks, roof tiles, decorative items made of sandstone,ceramics of the Champa and Song eras. Notably, 23 stone objects were dug up,most of which were animal-shaped statues such as a Simha (lion-like) statue,elephant-sculptured pedestals, Naga (snake-like) statues, and Garuda(bird-like) statues.
The researcher said the Phong Le relic site is alarge-scale architectural complex in the system of Champa towers in the centralregion of Vietnam.
He also proposed the excavation and study of thesite be expanded in the future. In the short term, the newly found relics needto be backfilled to prevent environmental impact and preserve their currentcondition. –VNA
VNA
