Close-up of 600-year-old antiques in Ho Dynasty Citadel

The Ho Dynasty Citadel (also known as Tay Do, An Ton, Tay Kinh, or Tay Giai), was the capital of Dai Ngu (the national name of Vietnam during the Ho Dynasty), located in Vinh Tien and Vinh Long communes, Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa. This is a solid citadel with unique stone architecture, large in scale, unique in Vietnam and one of the few remaining stone citadels in the world . The citadel was built by Ho Quy Ly in 1397. After more than 600 years of existence, most of the architectural works in the inner city have been destroyed.

After 19 recent large-scale archaeological excavations, the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center has officially put on display many valuable artifacts associated with the formation and existence of the unique stone citadel, built in the late 14th century.

Every day, the exhibition area of ​​antiques and artifacts at Ho Dynasty Citadel attracts thousands of tourists and researchers to visit and learn.

The most numerous group of artifacts is made of stone, including stone blocks for building the citadel, stone marbles, stone bullets or counterweights used as catapults to destroy enemies when the army defended the Tay Do citadel.

Stone balls and stone bullets were found in large quantities during the excavation of Hoe Nhai Street (Royal Street) near the South Gate of the citadel and during the survey in Doi Mo Village ( Vinh Long Commune, Vinh Loc District) in 2015. The smooth, round stone bullets, 5-7 cm in diameter, were placed next to simulated cannons invented by Ho Nguyen Trung, the eldest son of Ho Quy Ly, more than 600 years ago.

Cannon, the most powerful weapon of the Ho Dynasty army.

Historical records show that since he intended to seize the Tran Dynasty, Ho Quy Ly had anticipated having to fight against the intervention of the Ming Dynasty, so he advocated collecting bronze to cast weapons and at the same time put into use paper money to concentrate resources for the military . In the photo is a jar of ancient bronze coins from the Tran - Ho Dynasty found in the Ho Dynasty citadel.

During the excavation in 2007, archaeologists discovered an ancient terracotta jar measuring 78 cm in diameter and 75 cm high. It was used to hold water for the king to wash his hands and purify himself in preparation for the ceremony to worship heaven and earth at the Nam Giao altar.

A terracotta phoenix head dating from the late 14th and early 15th centuries with elaborate and clear decorative patterns was found at the Nam Giao altar of the Ho Dynasty citadel. This is a typical material for Dai Viet architecture in the late Tran - Ho period, used to decorate the roof of the large gate at the Nam Giao altar.

A fairly intact Bodhi leaf tile. This type of tile was originally used as a decoration on the roof ridges and eaves of palaces in the inner citadel area, along with many other types such as lotus-shaped tiles, cow-shaped tiles, yin-yang tiles, knife-head tiles, dragon-head tiles, mandarin duck tiles, etc.

Stone dragon head of Tran – Ho dynasty used to decorate the architecture of palace steps. The artifact is blue-gray in color, with one side decorated quite elaborately.

15th - 16th century enamel and gum bowls are displayed at the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center.

Tiles and bricks are used in building the citadel.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/anh-can-canh-kho-co-vat-hon-600-tuoi-o-thanh-nha-ho-10259139.html