Further insights into the value of the L-shaped tower group at My Son.

The L tower complex is situated in isolation atop a small hill, approximately 75 meters south of the BCD tower complex.

Người Lao Động•20/11/2025

Recently, the Management Board of My Son World Cultural Heritage Site (Thu Bon commune, Da Nang city) held a conference to announce the preliminary results of the archaeological excavation at the L tower group, one of the architectural areas in the My Son valley that still holds many mysteries.

The L group of towers is situated in isolation on top of a small hill, approximately 75 meters south of the BCD tower complex. This unique location offers a panoramic view of the entire temple complex, creating a striking feature within the overall landscape. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the L group of towers site has been documented by Henri Parmentier (French Institute of Far Eastern Studies) as a long, tiled-roofed structure with two opposing doorways. The first excavation, conducted by the CM Lerici Foundation (Italy) in 2019, uncovered an additional architectural foundation located to the west of the long L room. Archaeologists named the earlier discovery L1 and the later discovery L2.

Further details reveal the value of the L-shaped tower group at My Son - Photo 1.

The results of the excavation of the L tower group not only helped clarify the age and structure of the buildings, but also opened up a unique direction for the development of archaeological tourism (Photo provided by the My Son World Cultural Heritage Management Board).

Given the cultural, historical, and architectural values, especially the new discoveries that need further clarification, on May 6th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a decision allowing the My Son World Heritage Management Board, in coordination with the Institute of Conservation of Monuments, the Institute of Archaeology, and the Lerici Revolutionary Foundation, to continue archaeological excavations at the L tower group. The excavation will be conducted from May 9th to July 30th, with an permitted excavation area of 150 m2. The main objective of this project is to clarify the structure of the walls surrounding the two main structures L1 and L2, collect more data on related artifacts, and complete the drawings to support conservation efforts.

Over two months of work, archaeologists systematically excavated layers of collapsed materials, discovering numerous pottery fragments and roof tiles lying on the foundation and pathways surrounding the L1 structure. The excavation also revealed the severe damage caused by natural processes and, in particular, by wartime bombing. Based on the collected data, experts have made an important conclusion: the structures in the L group date back to a relatively late period, approximately from the 13th to the early 14th centuries. This is the first time that the dating of architecture in this area has been scientifically clarified based on actual archaeological findings.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Khiet, Director of the My Son World Cultural Heritage Management Board, said that international experts and researchers unanimously agree that the remaining brick structures and components in Group L need to be stabilized and repaired to overcome the effects of time and war. The entire Group L area needs to be protected in its entirety for the long term and sustainably, ready to contribute to the promotion of the heritage's value. "The values of Group L announced this time are new discoveries, valuable contributions to the richness and diversity of the cultural space of the temple complex, proving that the heritage site still contains many unique values buried underground. These discoveries contribute to the history of conservation, excavation, and restoration of My Son, and are a valuable resource for tourism development and attracting visitors," Mr. Khiet shared.

Further details reveal the value of the L-shaped tower group at My Son - Photo 2.