Unique spiral wooden well in Bac Giang

The villagers of Hac Lam were surprised to discover the unique structure of the ancient well.

According to Mr. Nguyen The Dinh, head of Hac Lam village, the village well is located within the Hac Lam temple and pagoda complex. During the village's renovation of the well, they discovered a structure believed to be a square well. The observed depth is approximately 3 meters, but the actual depth of the well's bottom has not yet been determined.

Previously, villagers used water from this well for daily life. Over time, with economic development and access to clean water, families have stopped using the well for many years; the well's walls have eroded significantly. Recently, Hac Lam village undertook renovations to improve the cleanliness and beauty of the historical site complex. The discovery of a spiral wooden structure in the middle of the well came as a surprise to the people of Hac Lam village, including the local elders.

The well's walls are lined with wood arranged in a spiral pattern.

According to an elderly villager, before 1980, people used well water for daily life. Everyone thought the well had a flat bottom because their ancestors had never mentioned a spiral-shaped wooden structure in the middle of the well. Therefore, many people believe this wooden structure may be very old.

Mr. Le Xuan Chu, Secretary of the Party Committee of Huong Lam commune, said: "Immediately after the people of Hac Lam village reported the incident to the People's Committee of Huong Lam commune, the commune requested the people to maintain the status quo and stop the well renovation work while awaiting instructions from higher authorities."

It is known that this is a vertical well, dug deep into the ground. Water in vertical wells is always cleaner than water in horizontal wells. This shows the progress in well-digging techniques and the civilized way people sought water sources. The wooden retaining walls on all four sides not only make the well sturdy but also filter the water, preventing dirty water from horizontal wells from entering, keeping the water in the well clean. Although the type of wood has not been identified, this factor shows that well-digging techniques have advanced.

The well opening is square.

Furthermore, the square well found within the Hac Lam temple complex suggests that the well may have been used for cultural and religious activities such as cooking rice, sticky rice, preparing feasts, and serving rituals.

According to researchers, square wells have been discovered in several districts and towns in Bac Giang province and the area around Hanoi . This type of well appeared in the Northern region of Vietnam around the 10th-11th centuries.

Phuong Nhung

Source: https://baobacgiang.vn/doc-dao-gieng-go-xoan-oc-tai-bac-giang-postid416418.bbg