From a high vantage point on Ba Thê mountain, looking down. Photo: VIET TIEN
I stood on a high point on Ba Thê mountain and looked down at the Óc Eo plain on a clear morning. Below me stretched a wide, flat expanse towards the foothills. From a modern perspective, it appeared to be rice paddies, village roads, and small hamlets nestled according to the seasons. However, when the viewer adds archaeological information, this idyllic landscape takes on a different form. It evokes the image of an ancient city situated in a delta, powered by waterways, connected by canals and streams, and thriving through trade.
Oc Eo - Ba The today is no longer intact as an open-air ancient city. Most of its remains lie underground, within mounds, and in cultural layers covered by time and agriculture. However, enough traces remain to reconstruct its structure. Architectural foundations, ancient canals, fragments of building materials, and groups of artifacts reveal signs of habitation, religion, and trade. Therefore, the most important story of this issue is the story of "Outstanding Universal Value," or OUV, which the nomination dossier is pursuing.
Criterion II: Transcontinental cultural exchange
In the nomination dossier, Criterion II is understood as the ability to demonstrate the interaction and reciprocal influence between cultural values within a historical period. According to Dr. Truong Dac Chien, a staff member of the National Museum of History and representative of the expert group preparing the nomination dossier for the Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site, for Oc Eo - Ba The, that period spanned from the 1st to the 7th centuries AD, when maritime networks in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean flourished. Sea and river routes created commercial "meeting points," where goods, technology, art, and religion met and then spread.
A team of experts conducted a field survey to advise on the preparation of a World Heritage dossier for the Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site. Photo provided by the Oc Eo Cultural Relics Management Board.
The traces and artifacts at Oc Eo - Ba The show that this area was once an important link in that network. In archaeology, the discovery of artifacts of distant origin or with styles influenced by foreign cultures often reflects the intensity of trade and the degree of cultural exchange. At Oc Eo - Ba The, the artifacts mentioned include jewelry, religious statues, inscriptions, architectural materials, and many other types of relics, showing the presence of religious, artistic, and technical influences.
It is noteworthy that the dossier not only emphasizes "the presence of artifacts" but also the context that created this interaction. That context is a settlement and commercial space organized by a water system. If the ancient inhabitants did not have the appropriate social organization and technology, large-scale trade could hardly have developed in a constantly changing delta region. In the dossier's argument, the canal system and settlement structures associated with Ba Thê mountain are considered the material foundation to explain why Óc Eo became a center of exchange, rather than just a scattered settlement. When applying criterion II to everyday language, it can be understood that Óc Eo - Ba Thê is where "ancient people met" through trade and religion. Traces of local adaptation and transformation are important, as UNESCO seeks places that clearly and evidence-based reflect cultural exchange.
Criterion III: Unique evidence of a vanished civilization
While Criterion II speaks of cultural exchange, Criterion III often delves into the depths of "civilizational memory." The nomination dossier considers Oc Eo - Ba The as outstanding evidence of the Oc Eo culture associated with the Funan kingdom, a historical entity that existed and then disappeared. When a civilization ceases to exist, what remains for future generations to identify is the material traces and spatial structures imprinted on the land.
A team of experts conducted a field survey to advise on the preparation of a World Heritage dossier for the Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site. Photo provided by the Oc Eo Cultural Relics Management Board.
Dr. Truong Dac Chien stated that at Oc Eo - Ba The, the remains are not isolated. The records point to a system comprising ramparts, canals, residential areas, temples, and a port. This system allows for the reconstruction of an urban and commercial center within the delta context. The presence of religious architecture reflects spiritual life, including Hinduism and Buddhism. The presence of residences and crafts reflects productive and commercial life. The presence of canals and related traces of water transport reflects the organization of space and resources.
The dossier refers to this line of reasoning as an “early maritime port-city civilization,” because the center was not only inward-oriented towards the fields but also outward-oriented towards waterways and the sea. This designation aligns with UNESCO's requirements, as UNESCO is interested in the story of “how a civilization operated” and “what attributes remain sufficient to provide evidence.”
Standing in the middle of a field, one easily gets the feeling that the heritage is "hidden." However, it is precisely this "hidden in the ground" characteristic that makes proof even more important. Therefore, arguments based on Criterion III must rely on archaeology, structure, the system of artifacts, and the interconnectedness of the components within the community.
Comparison with other heritage sites in the region
According to Dr. Truong Dac Chien, a UNESCO dossier often requires comparison, as UNESCO must consider the uniqueness and significance of the heritage site within its regional and global context. In the draft, Oc Eo - Ba The is placed alongside several known heritage sites and locations in the region, such as Pyu, Si Thep, and Sambor Prei Kuk. This comparison is not intended to create a race for the title, but rather to clarify the similarities and differences in type, age, urban characteristics, religious nature, and spatial structure.
In this comparison, the dossier emphasizes that the distinguishing feature of Oc Eo - Ba The lies in its "maritime port city" status and large-scale canal system, linked to the delta conditions. In other words, while many ancient centers in the region stand out for their religious architecture or inland urban development, Oc Eo - Ba The is highlighted for its urban model operating on waterways, connecting trade and reflecting the interaction between the indigenous population and the extensive trade network. The "controlled" aspect of the comparison is that the dossier does not exaggerate but focuses on attributes that can be proven by traces and artifacts. UNESCO is always wary of grand claims lacking evidence. Therefore, comparisons must be cautious, well-sourced, reasoned, and clearly limited.
Looking down at the fields from Ba Thê mountain, I understood why those compiling the dossier had to utilize the language of maps, structures, and hydrological systems. These elements transformed an "ordinary" space into a "global" story that the world could understand and verify. I concluded that OUV is not just a flowery term to embellish the dossier; it is a system of evidence. When the evidence is strong enough, the world will refer to Óc Eo - Ba Thê with respect.
What is OUV? OUV stands for “Outstanding Universal Value.” This is the value that makes a heritage site significant beyond its local and national boundaries. UNESCO considers OUVs based on specific criteria, along with integrity, authenticity, and mechanisms for protection and management. In short, OUV is the answer to the question: Why is this heritage site important to humanity? |
(To be continued)
VIET TIEN
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/oc-eo-ba-the-tren-chang-duong-den-di-san-the-gioi-bai-2-vi-sao-the-gioi-phai-goi-ten-oc-eo-ba-a473385.html
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