An excavation is conducted at Ban mountain relic site. (Photo: VNA)
Thua Thien-Hue (VNA) – Ban mountain, located in An Tay ward of Hue city, was identified as the Heaven-worshipping platform of Tay Son dynasty (1778-1802).
It was the location where the leader of the peasant uprising, Nguyen Hue, was crowned King Quang Trung. It was also where the determination to drive away 29,000 Chinese Qing invaders began, resulting in a resounding victory for Vietnam in the spring of 1789.
Ban mountain was designated a National Historic Site in 1988.
The National Museum of History conducted an excavation at Ban mountain relic site to determine the scale and structure of the monument for conservation work as a basis for proposing recognition as a Special National Monument.
In the second phase of the archaeological excavation, experts published data on the scale and structure of the Heaven-worshipping platform of the Tay Son dynasty (1778-1802), said Nguyen Ngoc Chat, head of the museum’s Research and Collection Department.
Based on the first-phase excavation in July 2022, experts and scientists from the National Museum of History, Thua Thien-Hue Department of Culture and Sports, expanded the excavation in an area of more than 200 sq,m to clarify the size and original structure of the foundation of the worshipping platform.
The platform was built to form three floors following the three-element philosophy, representing heaven, earth, and humans.
Archaeologists believe the platform was built during the Tay Son period. It used the natural rocky terrain, where it was carved out of the rock, and then erected. This symbolises the importance of completing the platform and advancing to the throne.
In terms of construction methods, the excavation team found that Ban mountain itself was dug into, creating three separate floors.
Because the construction site was uneven, it had been leveled with laterite soil, pure yellow clay, or a mixture of pebble and gravel to create a flat surface.
Architects of this period had a keen sense of planning, adding harmony, balance, and philosophy to their work. It is possible to perceive the distinction and uniqueness of the structure.
There are also traces of foundations, stone embankments, and walls. The assessment of the bricks recovered, in particular, has determined the structure is from the 18th century.
The size and colour of the bricks here are identical to those found in the architectural foundation bricks of the Nguyen Lords' temples and palaces, demonstrating the validity of the heaven-worshipping platform built at Ban mountain.
With the data and materials collected after the excavation, the Department of Culture and Sports of Thua Thien-Hue will develop a dossier to propose the recognition of the Ban mountain relic and related parts as a national special relic.
It also advised the provincial People's Committee to restore the area and build a temple to commemorate King Quang Trung and famous generals of this dynasty, thus forming a cultural centre in the west of Hue city associated with tourism activities.
In 2008, the People's Committee of Thua Thien-Hue province invested in building a memorial site with the highlight of the Quang Trung monument./.
