A unique Linga cast from pure gold.

A golden Linga was discovered during archaeological excavations in 2013 at the Po Dam tower complex in Phu Lac commune, Tuy Phong district, Binh Thuan province. Dating back to approximately the 8th-9th centuries, this Linga is 6.6cm high, with a body diameter of 5.35-5.49cm and a rim diameter of 5.8-6.0cm. Weighing 78.36g, it contains 90.4% gold, 9.05% silver, and 0.55% copper. - Photo: Binh Thuan Museum

The thrilling excavation that uncovered the Linga.

According to the Binh Thuan Provincial Museum, this golden Linga was discovered during an archaeological excavation in 2013 at the Po Dam tower complex site in Phu Lac commune, Tuy Phong district.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Ly, former director of the Binh Thuan Provincial Museum, recalled the two-year excavation conducted by the Southern Vietnam Institute of Social Sciences and the Binh Thuan Museum at Po Dam Tower.

This excavation has unearthed an extremely rich and diverse collection of architectural artifacts and relics, providing much information that offers new insights into a group of temples and towers that are among the oldest examples of Champa architecture, dating back over 1,300 years.

According to him, in the afternoon of mid-June 2013, while a group of workers were digging layers of soil outside the wall of the North Tower complex, they suddenly discovered a yellow object lying about 50cm deep under a layer of soil mixed with gravel and broken bricks.

Initially, everyone knew the artifact was gold, but it was unclear what it was, what its function was, and why it was buried there... Due to confidentiality reasons, the artifact was "escorted" to the Binh Thuan Provincial Museum that same night.

Through examination, scientists confirmed that this is the head of a Linga made of pure gold (high-purity gold, unlike the low-purity gold found in the bowls discovered at the Po Klong Garai tower in Ninh Thuan in 1984).

The artwork is uniquely crafted.

Mr. Ly further analyzed that compared to the gold Lingas discovered in Champa or Oc Eo cultural relics, the gold Linga at Po Dam is many times larger in size, weight, and gold content.

However, the true value of the Linga at Po Dam lies not in its 78.3630g of pure gold, but in its structure, origin, age, rarity, and the artistry of its craftsmanship.

Archaeologists and representatives of the Cham ethnic group at the excavation site in 2013 at Po Dam Tower, Phu Lac commune, Tuy Phong district, Binh Thuan province - Photo: Binh Thuan Museum

The Linga was crafted using a casting method from a mold, not by hammering or embossing like most gold artifacts discovered in the Oc Eo culture or at the Cat Tien temple complex in Lam Dong. What is particularly noteworthy is that the Linga was discovered within an excavated geological stratum.

The details on the circular Linga, with its smooth inner and outer surfaces and thin borders running along the base, are exquisitely crafted, demonstrating that ancient Cham artisans had reached a high level of skill in the art of jewelry making.

To date, the golden Linga at Po Dam is one of the rare known works in Champa art in general and Binh Thuan in particular.

Along with other unique artifacts such as inscribed steles, a bronze ruler, a bronze mirror, and a set of musical instruments, the golden Linga is a significant discovery of this excavation.

Studies of the culture and religious beliefs of the Champa Kingdom during its prosperous periods show that after ascending the throne or achieving a glorious victory, each king would often build new towers or renovate old ones, and cast golden statues to offer to Shiva, the supreme deity.

It was the most important and precious gift that the Champa kings offered to the god Shiva. The golden Linga at Po Dam is also a case in point. The god Shiva at Po Dam tower is embodied in the stone Linga-Yoni idol worshipped in the northern tower group, as described by Henri Parmentier in the early 20th century.

In January 2024, the Prime Minister issued a decision recognizing this solid gold Linga as a National Treasure. It is expected that during the Kate Festival in 2024, Binh Thuan province will hold a ceremony to announce this decision at the Po Sah Inư Tower relic site in Phan Thiet city.

Linga is the phallus, a symbol of fertility and life.

In Brahmanism, the Linga symbolizes the god Shiva as the principle of cause and effect (destruction and rebirth), representing fertility. It is an important object of worship in ancient religious architectural sites of the Champa culture in central Vietnam and other ancient cultures and nations in Southeast Asia.

Linga is a typical artifact representing the strong historical influence of Indian culture on the Southern region of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, especially in the latter half of the first millennium AD.

This also serves as important evidence in identifying the historical development of trade, interaction, exchange, and cultural assimilation between the indigenous population and Indian culture, reflecting the process of the spread and influence of Indian religions on this land throughout history.

This contains important scientific information, of great value to research and understanding of cultural and historical issues related to the Po Dam site and Champa culture.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/doc-dao-chiec-linga-duc-bang-vang-rong-20240331155708462.htm