Receiving Champa cultural period artifacts donated by the people

The antique statue of the Monkey God Hanuman, made of stone, weighing 150kg, dating from the 11th-12th century (Champa culture), was handed over for research and preservation.

On August 21, Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Director of the Quang Ngai Provincial Museum, said that the unit had received an antique, a statue of the monkey god Hanuman dating back to the 11th century (Champa cultural period), donated by a resident of Van Tuong commune.

The antique statue of the Monkey God Hanuman was discovered and voluntarily surrendered by Mr. Duong Dinh Luc, residing in Tuyet Diem 3 village, Binh Thuan commune, Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province (now Van Tuong commune, Quang Ngai province).

The artifact is made of carved stone, weighs 150kg, and dates from the 11th-12th century (Champa culture).

According to Mr. Duong Dinh Luc, in early 2021, he went fishing in the Vung Buon sea area and discovered many broken pieces of pottery. When diving into the sea at a depth of 2-4m, 50m from the shore, he discovered a monkey-shaped stone statue protruding from the sand layer, so he salvaged it and brought it home.

Many curious people came to his family to see the monkey statue. Someone offered 2 billion VND but he did not sell. In 2023, he was persuaded by the local government to hand over the antique for research and preservation.

Director of the Provincial Museum Nguyen Van Thanh said that based on Decision No. 813/QD-UBND dated July 3, 2024 of the Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ngai province on establishing the ownership of the entire people over buried, hidden, buried, sunken assets that individuals randomly found and voluntarily handed over to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ngai province on August 20 issued Official Dispatch No. 653/QD-UBND approving the plan to establish the ownership of the entire people over assets found as antiques randomly found by individuals.

The People's Committee of Quang Ngai province assigned the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to guide the Quang Ngai Provincial Museum to effectively manage and use assets in accordance with regulations; coordinate with relevant agencies and units to reward individuals who discover assets in accordance with Article 99 of Decree No. 77/2025/ND-CP dated April 1, 2025 of the Government and relevant legal documents./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/tiep-nhan-co-vat-thoi-ky-van-hoa-champa-do-nguoi-dan-hien-tang-post1057059.vnp