Archaeological excavation report at the old temple foundation area (Ba Tu Pagoda)

BHG - On the morning of May 12, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism coordinated with Bac Me district to organize a conference to report on preliminary archaeological excavations at the old pagoda foundation (Ba Tu pagoda), Bo Cung village, Yen Phu town (Bac Me). Attending were Most Venerable Thich Nguyen Toan, member of the Executive Council, Head of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of the province; leaders of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department; experts from the Institute of Archaeology.

Delegates visit artifacts excavated at Ba Tu Pagoda

On November 9, 2023, the Department of Home Affairs and relevant agencies conducted a survey of Ba Tu Pagoda. Through the survey, the delegation collected 173 artifacts, of which: During the Tran Dynasty, there were 156 artifacts including bricks, tiles, architectural decorations, tower fragments, glazed ceramics, fine porcelain, rough porcelain, of which; during the Le So Dynasty, there were 8 artifacts of white glazed ceramics with blue and white glaze; during the Le Trung Hung Dynasty, there were 3 artifacts of white ceramics; during the Nguyen Dynasty, there were 3 artifacts of cover bricks. During the excavation of the relic, the delegation discovered 12,456 artifacts dating from the Ly Dynasty to the Nguyen Dynasty, including: 2 artifacts of glazed ceramics from the Ly Dynasty; 161 artifacts of the Tran Dynasty were architectural materials, tiles, architectural decorations (dragon statues, Bodhi leaves), tower fragments, household utensils; 7,172 artifacts of the Le So Dynasty were glazed ceramics, curved tiles; 33 artifacts of the Le Trung Hung Dynasty were entirely white glazed ceramics; 6 Nguyen Dynasty blue-and-white ceramic artifacts and 17 metal artifacts including nails, bells, coins and rectangular pieces of pottery.

The Ba Tu pagoda relic is located on a hill, the North, East, and West are airy and surrounded by the Gam River; the South is protected by high mountains, this is a beautiful location, suitable for large and important projects. According to preliminary calculations, the architectural subdivision area is about 2,720m2, the architectural works are planned into 5 levels of foundations with different scales and heights.

The excavation aims to search for architectural vestiges, thereby determining the scale and distribution range of architectural works, the distribution range of architecture; to study the types and ages of relics, thereby determining the formation and development process of the relic; to collect artifacts to serve the display, introduction and promotion of heritage values ​​to the masses, domestic and foreign tourists; to contribute more materials in the research of heritage values, historical and cultural values ​​of Bac Me land in particular and Ha Giang province in general.

News and photos: Hoang Tuyen

Source: https://baohagiang.vn/van-hoa/202505/bao-cao-khai-quat-khao-co-tai-khu-vuc-nen-chua-cu-chua-ba-tu-0ed5a6c/