A team of experts and researchers surveyed the Lieu Coc Twin Towers relic.

The expansion of excavations at the Lieu Coc Twin Towers site has been supported by experts and researchers. The information found beneath the layers of ancient bricks is crucial for determining the original structure, properties, characteristics, and age of the site.

More information about the North and South towers.

After more than five weeks of arduous excavation under the scorching sun and torrential, unseasonal rains of Hue , the second phase of the historical exploration at the Lieu Coc Twin Towers has concluded. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Chat, an official from the National Museum of History and the lead excavator operator, along with his colleagues, breathed a sigh of relief, having never faced such harsh weather conditions before.

In return, the excavation team discovered a great deal of information. During this second phase of excavation, experts opened two excavation pits covering an area of ​​60 square meters. One pit was located east of the North Tower to clarify the vestibule and entrance to the North Tower, and the other pit was located north and east of the South Tower to clarify the scale, structure, and entrance to the South Tower. Additionally, two exploratory pits, each covering 6 square meters, were also opened north and south of the North Tower.

Excavation results show that, similar to the North Tower, the ground surface of the South Tower has also been heavily disturbed. Many modern artifacts such as bricks, tiles, incense burners, lime containers, lamps, etc., accumulated around the tower due to farming and worship practices, and vegetation encroachment, creating a raised mound in the middle, gradually decreasing in height on the north and west sides of the tower. After clearing the area and opening the excavation pits, with depths ranging from 97cm to 298cm, the stratigraphic structure of the site was revealed, which can be divided into four layers, with the parent soil being yellow alluvial clay.

According to Mr. Chat, the geological strata confirm once again that the Lieu Coc Twin Towers were built on an alluvial mound of the Bo River, 3.7-4 meters above sea level. Before construction, the ancients added an amount of alluvial soil to create a level surface, then compacted it with a layer of laterite soil and brick powder 5-12 cm thick to reinforce the tower's foundation. Also from the stratigraphy, it can be seen that there is no difference in the foundation level between the North and South towers; both structures were built almost simultaneously, with any difference in timing being negligible.

Further excavations are needed.

The excavation process yielded 9,380 specimens and fragments of artifacts, mainly focusing on architectural materials, architectural decorations, stelae fragments, glazed pottery, stoneware, earthenware, and copper metal fragments. Notably, there were stelae fragments made from yellowish-gray and bluish-gray sandstone with a polished surface and engraved Sanskrit characters; based on the color and grain structure of the stone material, it can be determined that at Lieu Coc there were at least two steles or one stela and one stone component with inscriptions, dating back to around the early 10th century. In addition, there were several stone fragments possibly broken from a Yoni pedestal; and two lime containers from the 17th-18th centuries. Vietnamese glazed pottery (dating from the 14th to 19th centuries), Chinese porcelain (10th to 19th centuries)... From the two excavations, it can be confirmed that the Lieu Coc Twin Towers is the only known relic in Vietnam in particular and the world in general that has two main temples and towers (usually there is one or three main temples and towers).

The excavation team also noted that, during the second excavation, the stratigraphic structure showed that the South and North towers had almost no difference in height, but the South tower was built on a larger scale than the North tower (by about 0.4m) and shifted eastward by about 0.2m. Furthermore, a comparison of the wall decorations of the North and South towers revealed clear differences in the decorative elements of the columns, pillars, and false door frames, with the grooves on the South tower being more elaborate and refined than those on the North tower. Therefore, it can be determined that the two towers were not built at the same time, with a difference of about 10-20 years. The North tower was built earlier – at the end of the 9th century; the South tower was built later, around the end of the 9th century – beginning of the 10th century, corresponding to the dating of the inscription style on the stelae.

Despite numerous new discoveries, the archaeological team reports that the area excavated in the two phases only reached 150 square meters, just over 6% of the planned area of ​​the site (2,428 square meters). Therefore, many issues remain unresolved, and the history, layout, space, and nature of the site cannot yet be fully understood. "To obtain the most complete and comprehensive overview of the Lieu Coc temple complex, we propose expanding the excavation area," Mr. Chat suggested.

Meanwhile, after conducting a field survey of the Lieu Coc Twin Towers, experts and researchers believe that it is necessary to promptly implement research and develop a project to build a shelter for the two main towers; research and preserve the brick tower structure, and create a landscape for the historical site… In addition, the majority agree with the recommendation to continue excavating this site.

According to Mr. Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Hue City, the archaeological excavation area from both phases accounts for only a small portion of the total area of ​​the Lieu Coc Twin Towers relic. Therefore, they will seek approval to continue expanding the excavation to clarify any remaining doubts. Simultaneously, they will develop a plan for preserving and promoting the value of the relic.

Text and photos: NHAT MINH

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/them-nhung-bi-an-duoi-long-dat-155650.html