The project to explore and excavate the Cham Tower relic of Duong Long needs careful consideration.

VHO - That is one of the important contents that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism mentioned when giving opinions on the agreement on the Project of archaeological exploration and excavation of the Cham Tower relic of Duong Long.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong signed Official Letter No. 3200/BVHTTDL-DSVH addressed to the People's Committee of Gia Lai province regarding the agreement on the archaeological exploration and excavation project under the project for the restoration and preservation of the Duong Long Cham Tower, a special national architectural and artistic relic.

The Duong Long Cham Tower, a special national architectural and artistic monument, is the site where the most artifacts related to snake sculpture have been discovered and preserved.

Accordingly, on May 6, 2025, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism received Submission No. 75/TTr-UBND from the People's Committee of Binh Dinh province (now Gia Lai province) requesting appraisal of the Feasibility Study Report for the Archaeological Exploration and Excavation Project under the Project for Restoration and Preservation of the National Special Architectural and Artistic Monument of Duong Long Cham Tower, Tay Son district, Binh Dinh province (now Binh An commune, Gia Lai province).

After consideration, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has agreed to the exploration and archaeological excavation of the Duong Long Cham Tower, a special national architectural and artistic relic. This agreement was finalized in Official Letter No. 5816/BVHTTDL-DSVH dated December 29, 2023, with the goal of supplementing and completing data for the restoration and preservation project of the Duong Long Cham Tower, as well as for exhibition purposes and promoting the relic's value.

Therefore, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism basically agrees with the proposal of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee regarding the implementation of the Project for archaeological exploration and excavation of the Duong Long Cham Tower, a special national architectural and artistic relic, as part of the Project for restoration and preservation of the Duong Long Cham Tower, a special national architectural and artistic relic. The project involves conducting archaeological exploration and excavation around the cluster of 3 towers (on the East, West, South, and North sides).

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requests the People's Committee of Gia Lai province to direct relevant agencies to take note that, with its outstanding architectural and artistic value, the Duong Long Cham Tower relic has been classified as a special national relic (by Decision No. 2367/QD-TTg dated December 23, 2015 of the Prime Minister ).

Therefore, the implementation of archaeological exploration and excavation needs careful consideration, based on existing documents and the results of numerous previous archaeological excavations (many excavations have been conducted since 2006) to propose appropriate areas and scope for exploration and excavation, ensuring the possibility of uncovering additional architectural remains, avoiding overlap with previous excavations, and preventing disruption to the overall Duong Long Cham Tower area.

Regarding the scientific basis, it is necessary to supplement the report evaluating the results of the exploration and excavation of the Duong Long Cham Tower relics carried out in previous years; comments and suggestions on the exploration and excavation project from experts, scientists and management agencies; and written opinions from the local government and people.

Regarding the project's content, it is necessary to study historical documents and conduct surveys, combining them with practical archaeological exploration of the site to minimize the excavation area and avoid disturbing the site's surface.

Makara reliefs depicting Naga serpents decorate the archway of the Yanglong Tower.

Supplementing the scope of work and implementation conditions (including funding) for the protection, organization, and completion of scientific records of artifacts obtained after archaeological exploration and excavation, in order to ensure timely preservation and protection and prevent damage or loss of artifacts obtained after archaeological exploration and excavation.

At the same time, it serves to research, determine the value, and propose methods for protecting and promoting the value of relics and artifacts.

The document also stated that additional drawings of the excavation pit layouts should be included as mentioned in the Project description; that interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research should be coordinated during the archaeological exploration and excavation process; that a plan for protecting the excavation pits should be in place; and that the site and artifacts discovered during the exploration and excavation should be covered and protected.

Specifically, the solutions for preserving and promoting the value after excavation aim to overcome the limitations in archaeological excavation activities that have been raised by scientists in recent times, especially when implementing large-scale, long-term excavation projects as proposed in the Project.

During archaeological exploration and excavation, any discovered architectural foundations (if any) must be preserved and maintained in situ, and relocation should only be carried out after obtaining written consent from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The discovered artifacts must be documented and scientifically recorded (clearly indicating their location, elevation, and direction of displacement from the tower) to serve research on repositioning, restoration, reconstruction, or repair of the tower.

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Gia Lai province must strictly adhere to the procedures stipulated in the Regulations on Archaeological Exploration and Excavation (issued together with Decision No. 86/2008/QD-BVHTTDL dated December 30, 2008, of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism); at the same time, it must carry out the procedures for requesting permits for archaeological exploration and excavation in accordance with the law on cultural heritage.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/du-an-tham-do-khai-quat-khao-co-di-tich-thap-cham-duong-long-can-can-nhac-ky-149473.html