According to Dr. Nguyen Gia Doi, Acting Director of the Institute of Archeology under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, said: The Institute of Archeology has conducted excavations and archaeological research at locations: Linh Son pagodas and North Linh Son, Oc Eo mound, Giong Trom mound and Giong Cat mound. From the above 5 research sites, more than 50 relics have been discovered.
A group of relics from the 1st to 4th centuries were discovered in the following locations: Linh Son pagoda, North Linh Son, Giong Trom mound and Giong Cat mound. In particular, at North Linh Son, archaeologists discovered an architectural structure surrounded by rectangular bricks with inclined seams. Directly covering the monument is a layer of Indian influence tiles. About 3 meters northeast of this vestige, a granite relief carved with a sitting Buddha image, hands clasped in front of his chest, was discovered. Below are 3 Sankrit words, Reliefs is nearly 1 m high, 0.65 - 0.74 m wide, 0.3 m thick. It is likely that this bas-relief was placed in a temple. This is an architecture of small scale but built properly.
Excavation also revealed relics from the 5th to 7th centuries. For example, an architecture and a sandstone stele carved with letters on both sides were discovered. Dr. Pham Van Trieu (Institute of Archeology) said that the stele is shaped like a lotus petal, the top of the stele is carved with a blooming lotus pattern 64 cm high and 8 cm thick. The front side of the stele is engraved with Sankrit script, the back side of the ancient Khmer script. The content of the stele mentions that King Jayavarman I (first half of the 7th century) set out the principle of donation to build a Buddhist monastery (Vihara) named Candana. Archaeologists believe that initially can see the architecture and stele related to the Buddhist monastery built during the reign of Jayavarman I.
In addition to the discoveries of relics found above, archaeologists also collected many other relics, in which, typical artifacts are the group of Indian tile relics, Eastern Han mirrors and gold rings in the shape of cows god Nandin.
The group of Indian tile relics is a group of flat tiles with rectangular roofs, flat roof tiles. The tile surface has concave grooves to drain water, the tail of the tile can be made round holes for tying rope or nailing, the tip of the tile is cut with. The bottom side is made a groove close to one longitudinal edge of the tile to connect with another tile when roofing. The mirror at the same time Dong Han has a mirror surface that creates a smooth, slightly curved shadow. The side is decorated with embossed patterns, in the middle is a rather high floating knob with a hole through it. From this round knob to the outside of the mirror, there are 4 pattern intervals. The mirror also has the word "Sunday, Heavenly King". The golden metal ring is monolithic cast, above is the image of the god Nandin (sacred object to ride of the god Shiva) shaped in a realistic style depicting ears, eyes, horns, claws, and tail feathers. The two sides of the ring, behind and in front of the Nandin cow, are decorated with lotus petals or leaves that look like a trident.
Identify the body shape of the world heritage
According to Dr. Nguyen Gia Doi, through excavations can initially identify cultural exchange, many elements of Indian culture have integrated to create the cultural identity of Oc Eo. For example, tile has influences from India, the construction site adheres to the doctrine of taking the east as the main direction. Deities such as Buddha and Visnu are worshiped, showing that the relationship with Indian culture has been constant throughout history. This is also the identity of Oc Eo culture.
Also according to Dr. Nguyen Khanh Trung Kien, Institute of Social Sciences in the South, again analyzed the research on plant seeds left in the cultural layer of the excavation pits. Initial research shows that the ancient inhabitants of Oc Eo cultivated rice, cucurbits, beans, and cana. The vegetation in the habitat is not diverse, mainly fruit trees, very few wild trees are found. This record initially suggests the possibility that the village or urban nature was "planned" by the Oc Eo ancient people with purposeful planting spaces. Thereby, Dr. Nguyen Khanh Trung Kien said: “Studies show that the picture of the Oc Eo - Ba The relic site is clearer with the nature of an ancient city operated by an agricultural economy with rice, rice, and gourd products, squash, legumes and even trade".
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Bui Chi Hoang, member of the National Heritage Council, suggested that Ba The mountain should be planned as part of the Oc Eo - Ba The heritage space. This is a sacred mountain in the cultural space of the ancient town of Oc Eo. The archeological project also shows that the relics are associated with this Ba The mountain.
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tong Trung Tin, Chairman of the Archaeological Association, said that through excavations, he has also found outstanding information to make a heritage file for submission to UNESCO. For example, the criterion contains a unique or at least very different demonstration of a cultural tradition or a civilization that still exists or has passed away. According to Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tong Trung Tin, many relics and relics found at the Oc Eo - Ba The heritage site have proved a very high level of civilization in Southeast Asia and Southeast Asia during the 1st-7th centuries.
Before the research results were announced, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam directed and based on the results of this archaeological research project for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to guide the People's Committee of An Giang province. An Giang province prepares a world heritage nomination dossier. In which, attention should be paid to the criteria, integrity, authenticity and requirements for protection and management for this relic population.
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