Solutions are needed soon to preserve the Liễu Cốc twin towers relic.

VHO - To date, the Lieu Coc twin towers are the only monument in Vietnam with two main temples and towers. Along with many unique historical, cultural, and architectural values, this national monument urgently needs solutions for protection and a long-term conservation, restoration, and value promotion plan.

Experts and researchers at the archaeological site of the Lieu Coc twin towers.

On July 8th, the National Museum of History, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Sports of Hue City, held a presentation on the preliminary results of the second phase of archaeological excavation at the Lieu Coc Twin Towers national monument (Kim Tra ward, Hue City).

Unique temple complex in Vietnam

Over a period of about 1.5 months, at the Lieu Coc twin towers site, the excavation team opened two excavation pits with a total area of ​​60m2, along with two exploratory pits with an area of ​​6m2 to the north of the North tower and to the south of the South tower, in order to find the location, scale, and structure of the surrounding walls of the temple complex and traces of a third temple (if any).

In terms of construction techniques, both towers had their foundations reinforced with a mixture of clay and sand, and the surface compacted with dark red laterite soil. The entire structure primarily uses brick; the outer layers of brickwork are stacked, while the inner core walls are mostly made of broken bricks; the bricks are arranged in a staggered pattern with a joint of diluted fine clay.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Chat, Deputy Head of the Research and Collection Department (National Museum of History): The second phase of excavations continues to reaffirm that the Lieu Coc twin towers were built from the 9th to the early 10th centuries. The northern tower was built first, and the southern tower was built about 10-20 years later.

The geological structure reveals that the two towers are almost identical in height, but the South tower is built on a larger scale than the North tower by about 0.4m and is shifted 0.2m to the east. The wall decorations of the two towers differ in the design of the columns, pillars, and central doorways; the grooves on the South tower are more elaborate and refined than those on the North tower.

"To date, the Lieu Coc twin towers are the only relic in Vietnam with two main temples and towers; normally, there are only one or three main temples and towers. We have conducted many studies on Cham Pa relics in Central Vietnam, but we have never found a place with two main temples and towers," Mr. Chat said.

In addition, this second excavation yielded 9,380 specimens and fragments of artifacts, mainly focusing on architectural materials, architectural decorations, stelae, glazed pottery, stoneware, earthenware, and copper metal fragments.

Pit H1 is located to the north and east of the South Tower.

An urgent solution is needed.

Archaeological excavations at the Lieu Coc Twin Towers national monument were affected by unusually heavy rains and floods in June. Fortunately, the area where the North and South towers are located is on higher ground than the road, so the site was not disturbed. However, this also poses a long-term risk, as the stormy weather in Hue and Central Vietnam is very harsh.

According to representatives from relevant agencies, researchers present at the archaeological site survey of the Lieu Coc twin towers need solutions to ensure the safety of the site after excavation. Researcher Nguyen Xuan Hoa suggested that the Ministry of Culture and the local government should propose an urgent project, otherwise, subsequent floods risk destroying the results of archaeological work and protection efforts.

Furthermore, Kim Tra ward also needs to consider prohibiting the burial and construction of permanent tombs around this historical site, in order to create a cultural heritage space for the locality in the future.

According to Dr. Phan Tien Dung, Chairman of the Hue City Historical Science Association, the excavation team and the Department of Culture and Sports, along with other relevant units, need to quickly organize the construction of a database for the Lieu Coc twin towers relic; and at the same time, strengthen propaganda and education among local residents and spread awareness to the community and generations of students.

Representing the local government, Mr. Chau Viet Thanh, Secretary of the Party Committee of Kim Tra Ward, said: "Previously, when it was still at the district level, Huong Tra town paid great attention to the Lieu Coc twin towers relic, but due to obstacles and difficulties, only some external renovation projects were implemented. We will implement comprehensively the issues within the ward's authority and will find solutions to prevent the permanent construction of tombs in the area surrounding the relic," Mr. Thanh affirmed.

Many experts and researchers have also expressed their desire to continue expanding the archaeological excavation area of ​​the Lieu Coc twin towers to further clarify issues related to the foundation structure of the gate tower and the North temple tower; whether or not there is a gate tower of the South temple tower; whether or not there is a stele tower and a fire tower; whether or not there is a longhouse or a front hall outside; to identify traces of the surrounding wall on the West; the connection between the internal road system within the site; and to decipher the location and role of the Lieu Coc twin towers in relation to the Cham Pa relics in the Bo River basin…

According to Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Hue City Department of Culture and Sports, the two recent archaeological excavations only covered about 6% of the planned area of ​​the Lieu Coc Twin Towers relic site. In the future, the Department will coordinate with relevant units to develop a plan to further expand excavations to clarify the entire structure of the towers, and to clarify any unclear or questionable information. Simultaneously, a detailed plan will be developed to preserve and promote the value of the relic; in the short term, a shelter will be proposed to ensure safety against harsh natural disasters.

“We will support training for local officials in Kim Tra ward to contribute to the dissemination, promotion, and education of heritage to the community. In addition, the Department will also coordinate to understand the values ​​associated with the cultural story of this relic to contribute to building a tourist destination,” Mr. Hai informed.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/som-co-giai-phap-bao-ton-di-tich-thap-doi-lieu-coc-150581.html