Kinh Thien Palace and porcelain reveal the mystery of royal life in Thang Long Citadel

Kinh thành Thăng Long - Ảnh 1. — The Imperial Citadel Research Institute has restored the 3D image of Kinh Thien Palace during the Early Le Dynasty.

Information about these research results was shared at the international scientific conference "Thang Long Imperial Citadel Relic Site - Achievements and Issues after 15 Years of Research (2011-2025)" organized by the Institute of Archaeology (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) on November 4 in Hanoi.

The workshop had the participation of domestic and regional researchers.

Unveiling the mystery of Thang Long Citadel

Associate Professor Dr. Bui Minh Tri - former Director of the Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies (now part of the Institute of Archaeology), the unit in charge of the project "Reorganizing, researching, evaluating the value and establishing a scientific profile of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel relic site" - said that scientists have researched to clarify the mysteries of the palace architecture - the "soul" of Thang Long Citadel after thousands of years of loss, clarifying the architectural form of the palaces of the Ly and Tran dynasties and Kinh Thien Palace of the Early Le Dynasty.

Kinh thành Thăng Long - Ảnh 2. — Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Minh Tri said that many achievements in research have revealed the mystery of royal life in ancient Thang Long - Photo: T.DIEU

In 2022-2023, the Institute continued to complete the research to restore Kinh Thien Palace, the center of power of Thang Long Forbidden City during the Early Le Dynasty. The project was recreated on a large scale, with a roof covered with golden dragon tiles and gilded wooden structures, demonstrating the power and prosperity of the dynasty.

Not only stopping at architectural research, scientists also focus on clarifying life in the Thang Long Imperial Palace through millions of relics that have been edited and classified.

In addition, the results of research, classification and editing of relics have deepened the life of the Thang Long Royal Palace through research on utensils and objects, especially royal ceramics, and at the same time revealed the role of Thang Long in international trade and diplomacy through foreign ceramics.

According to Mr. Tri, the Imperial Citadel Research Institute has analyzed and identified high-class porcelain from the Ly Dynasty, reaching a level equivalent to Chinese porcelain from the Song Dynasty, proving that the level of Vietnamese ceramic production reached its peak from the 11th century.

Kinh thành Thăng Long - Ảnh 3. — Studies on porcelain and ceramics used in the ancient Royal Palace reveal part of the royal life and royal authority.

In particular, ceramics with the words "Quan" and "Kinh" and dragon decorations, produced at the Thang Long kiln, were royal items reserved for the king and queen, representing royal life and royal authority.

In addition, the Imperial Citadel Research Institute also clarified the origin of imported ceramics from China, Japan, Korea and West Asia, thereby demonstrating Thang Long's role as an international trade center in the Asian economic network.

These discoveries not only deepen the archaeological value but also help identify the cultural stature and diplomatic position of Dai Viet in regional history.

Continue research to preserve and restore Thang Long Imperial Citadel

Dr. Ha Van Can - Director of the Institute of Archaeology - affirmed that scientific achievements will only be meaningful when they are transformed into awareness and action in the work of preserving, educating and promoting heritage. It is necessary to promote the publication of research results, enhance the application of digital technology in displaying and interpreting heritage and expand international cooperation to access modern research methods.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dien-kinh-thien-va-do-su-ven-man-bi-an-cuoc-song-vua-chua-trong-kinh-thanh-thang-long-20251104222326438.htm