What artifacts were discovered during an archaeological dig at a place called Black Shirt that made this place liken to the Imperial Citadel of Yen Bai?

Historical scientists say that the historical-archaeological relic named Hac Y is a large-scale Buddhist architectural complex, equivalent to a Buddhist cultural center at that time, likened to the "Imperial Citadel of Yen Bai."

The project to restore and embellish the Hac Y historical-archaeological relic associated with tourism development in Tan Linh commune, Luc Yen district was invested by the People's Committee of Yen Bai province with a total capital of nearly 22 billion VND and is expected to be completed after 3 years.

According to Decision No. 1326/QD-UBND dated July 26, 2023 of the People's Committee of Yen Bai province on approving the investment project to construct the project to restore and embellish the Hac Y historical-archaeological relic associated with tourism development in Tan Linh commune, Luc Yen district, Yen Bai province.

The project will start construction on December 12, 2024 and will be implemented within 3 years from the first year of capital allocation.

The project consists of 2 items with a capital of 21,945 million VND. The construction items have a traditional antique architectural style.

In particular, the Dai Cai temple and pagoda area with an area of ​​49,500m2 will keep the current state of Dai Cai pagoda; demolish the old Dai Cai temple and the roofs temporarily restored by the people that are currently damaged to arrange the temple house, reception house, ceremony room, festival yard and other auxiliary items. The total capital is over 10 billion VND, to be completed by the end of 2025.

For the Ben Lan Pagoda archaeological site with an area of ​​137,500m2, the old damaged roof structure will be demolished to arrange the construction of reception houses combined with the display of artifacts and protection; build archaeological houses No. 1 and No. 2 to protect the excavated archaeological sites and welcome visitors; build a system of courtyards, internal roads, parking lots, green spaces and other auxiliary items. The province is currently completing investment procedures for this item.

The Hac Y relic (Tan Linh commune, Luc Yen district, Yen Bai province) was recognized as a national historical and archaeological relic in 2001. (Photo: Dinh Thuy/VNA).

Nun Thich Dam Hanh Thuong, Abbot of Thap Bao Thuong Mien Pagoda and Manager of Dai Cai Temple, said that the Hac Y historical-archaeological relic has great significance for the spirituality and cultural life of local people.

Over time, the structure has seriously degraded and needs to be protected. Restoring and embellishing the relic will meet the religious needs of the people and help the relic survive for a long time against the impact of climate and weather.

Thereby, contributing to preserving, restoring and promoting the outstanding, original values ​​of the relic.

In mid-December, reporters observed that at the entrance to the Hac Y-Dai Cai relic site, hundreds of meters of embankment were broken, cracked, collapsed, and sunk; the road to the relic site was severely eroded; the fence surrounding the Dai Cai temple-pagoda area was broken and collapsed.

Mr. Trieu Van Huan, Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Luc Yen district, said that this relic has extremely important historical, cultural and spiritual values. After a long period of use, especially after storm No. 3, some items and constructions were affected and damaged and need to be repaired and embellished.

However, the project to restore and embellish the relic was approved before storm No. 3, so the entire landslide area, embankment and fence affected by the storm has not yet been allocated funding by the province to repair.

The Black Shirt relic in Tan Linh commune (Luc Yen district, Yen Bai province) was recognized as a national historical and archaeological relic in 2001. (Photo: Dinh Thuy/VNA).

The Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Luc Yen district hopes that Yen Bai province will soon pay attention and arrange capital to repair the road, creating favorable conditions for people and tourists to visit and offer incense.

The historical-archaeological site of Hac Y, in Tan Linh commune, Luc Yen district (Yen Bai province) was discovered in 1995. This is a complex of religious-belief architectural relics of communal house-temple-pagoda and other auxiliary works including Than Ao Den (Hac Y) mountain, Hac Y pagoda, Dong pagoda, Dai Cai temple, Thuong Mien pagoda, Ben Lan pagoda, Vua pond, racetrack, spread over an area of ​​about 2km2.

Through many excavations, archaeologists discovered in this relic complex many artifacts with shapes and ages similar to those excavated in the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long-Hanoi such as bricks, tiles, stone column bases, Bodhi leaves, lotus, chrysanthemums, terracotta statues of various mascots such as dragon heads, phoenixes... along with worship objects and ceramics dating from the Tran Dynasty (13th-14th centuries).

Historical scientists say this is a large-scale Buddhist architectural complex, equivalent to the Buddhist cultural center of that time, likened to the "Imperial Citadel of Yen Bai."

In 2001, the Black Shirt Relic was recognized as a national historical-archaeological relic.

Every year, on January 16, local people and many tourists come to offer incense to express their respect to their ancestors who taught people to open mountains and establish villages, and pray for favorable weather and good crops.

Over many generations, this place has become a famous spiritual tourist destination in Yen Bai.

Source: https://danviet.vn/dao-khao-co-o-mot-noi-goi-la-hac-y-phat-lo-hien-vat-gi-ma-vi-noi-day-nhu-hoang-thanh-cua-yen-bai-20241229202847004.htm