Relievos on one of Duong Long towers. Photo B.Phung

With the approval of the Cultural Heritage Department, Binh Dinh province People’s Committee in cooperation with Binh Dinh Culture and Information Department and Ho Chi Minh City-based Archeology Institute will continue the second excavation of Duong Long towers.

This excavation is to study the structure of the floor, the foundation around the tower, the material and types of sculpture used in the Champa architecture as well. The information collected will be used to provide for the restore of sculptural pieces and the structure of lost parts.

This excavation will be expanded to the East of the front of three towers on an area of 1,000 sq.m within two months (from August to October, 2007).

Duong Long towers are situated in Tay Binh Commune of Tay Son District. It is the Champa cultural heritage ranked as the national heritage in July, 1980. In the first excavation (2006), 1,020 stone and terra-cotta sculptures such as relievos of God, Naga snake, Garuda bird and God Indra were discovered.

• Reported by Bui Tinh
• Translated by Hong Quang