11th-century stone tower excavated in Bac Ninh
The foundation of an 11th-century stone tower has been unearthed at Dam Pagoda in the northern city of Bac Ninh, 30km northeast of Ha Noi, revealing complex features of Buddhist architecture of the period.
Located on the southern side of Lam Son Mountain, construction of Dam Pagoda was begun in 1086 under the reign of Ly Nhan Tong and completed in 1094.
It was one of the leading examples of Buddhist architecture in the north during the Tran (1225-1400) and Le (1428-1788) dynasties. In the Tran dynasty, the pagoda consisted of 12 buildings while in the Le dynasty, it was expanded to over 100 rooms.
According to researcher Le Dinh Phung, who directed the excavation, the foundation formed a square measuring 8.4m by 8.4m. The missing tower was assumed to face east to a height of 1.56m and built with stones decorated in wave patterns.
It may have carried Buddha statue on top to face the remaining stone column at the pagoda, Phung said.
Upon excavating the foundation and a site of 300sq.m, archaeologists found building materials from the Ly, Tran and Le dynasties and concluded that Dam Pagoda was an architectural complex of four layers covering an area of over 7,500sq.m following the slope of Lam Son Mountain.
"This is one of the most intact examples of architecture from the Ly dynasty," said Viet Nam Archaeology Institute director Tong Trung Tin.
Luu Tran Tieu, chairman of the National Culture Heritage Council, said the excavation revealed various unique features of the pagoda beside the stone pillar of the pagoda. He proposed further research at the site to gain greater understanding of the architecture of the Ly dynasty.
Source: Viet Nam News [November 09, 2011]
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| The foundation of a tower has been excavated at the site of Dam Pagoda [Credit: Viet Nam News] |
It was one of the leading examples of Buddhist architecture in the north during the Tran (1225-1400) and Le (1428-1788) dynasties. In the Tran dynasty, the pagoda consisted of 12 buildings while in the Le dynasty, it was expanded to over 100 rooms.
According to researcher Le Dinh Phung, who directed the excavation, the foundation formed a square measuring 8.4m by 8.4m. The missing tower was assumed to face east to a height of 1.56m and built with stones decorated in wave patterns.
It may have carried Buddha statue on top to face the remaining stone column at the pagoda, Phung said.
Upon excavating the foundation and a site of 300sq.m, archaeologists found building materials from the Ly, Tran and Le dynasties and concluded that Dam Pagoda was an architectural complex of four layers covering an area of over 7,500sq.m following the slope of Lam Son Mountain.
"This is one of the most intact examples of architecture from the Ly dynasty," said Viet Nam Archaeology Institute director Tong Trung Tin.
Luu Tran Tieu, chairman of the National Culture Heritage Council, said the excavation revealed various unique features of the pagoda beside the stone pillar of the pagoda. He proposed further research at the site to gain greater understanding of the architecture of the Ly dynasty.
Source: Viet Nam News [November 09, 2011]
