Dr. N. Masarani studies bronze drums at Binh Dinh Museum. Photo V.T

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: I have been concerned with bronze drums for 10 years. However, I previously studied in The Red River Delta and Southern provinces. My Ph.D dissertation is also about “Archaeology in The Red River Delta and Mekong River Delta” because I haven’t got any chance to study in Central provinces, including Binh Dinh where many bronze drums have been found. I visited Binh Dinh in 2006 but I didn’t carefully study at that time, so I hope I’ll know more about Binh Dinh and the Central region in this visit.

Q: As I know, you not only studied bronze drums at Binh Dinh Museum but came to archaeological sites in Vinh Thanh district where bronze drums were found. What are the results of this visit?

A: After studying bronze drums preserved at Binh Dinh Museum, we came to archaeological sites in Vinh Thanh district and found that there were some bronze drums sold after being found. It can be, therefore, concluded that Vinh Thanh is the place where the number of drums found is most in the Central region. This proves that Vinh Thanh in B.C had a wealthy period, becoming the centre in an area because bronze drums is the symbol of the power and wealth. However, we haven’t known what the basis for the economic development is, so it needs more studies.

On the other hand, bronze drums were found together with some pieces of potteries. In my opinion, these are of Sa Huynh culture (from the 1st century BC to the 1st and 2nd century AD). Currently, archaeologists know that Sa Huynh culture ended in the 1st century BC, but the late period hasn’t been studied. The collection, therefore, will be a valuable source for the study of Sa Huynh culture in the late period.

Most bronze drums were made in the north where the mould was made from terracotta, so the trace of gaft on the drum can be seen; meanwhile, the technology for the making of the bronze drum found at An Trung commune of An Lao district in Binh Dinh province is very special because the wax was used for the model and the earth was for the mould.

There are other drums with the similar technology found in Thailand. This can provide a valuable source for studying the relationship between Binh Dinh and Thailand and a proof of the native feature of the drum.

With the drum found in Vinh Thinh, we realized three Chinese characters at the back in which there is a “Trung” (loyalty) character. In Indonesia, there is one drum but characters are not clear.

Q: Previously , Assoc. Prof. Dr. Diep Dinh Hoa confirmed the native feature of Dong Son drum found in Binh Dinh by the lead isotope. He also emphasized the existence of a Dong Son drum casting center in this area with distinctive features of  the metallurgy. What do you think about this?

A: We’re sure that the mineral for casting drums was found in Vietnam, but to know exactly where it was originated, each model needs to be analyzed. But this is not simple. The drums found in An Trung was made with special technologies, proving its native features.

Q: After the visit, are you going to return to Binh Dinh to study bronze drums?

A: Studying bronze drums is to know not only the drums but archaeological sites where they were found. Only after excavating them can we have more understanding of bronze drums. If possible, therefore, I surely return to Binh Dinh to study more.

• Le Viet Tho (translated by  H.Q)

Nishimura Masanari is a Japanese archaeologist. He was born in 1965 in Shimonosek, Japan. He graduated from the archaeology department of Tokyo University. He has come to Vietnam since 1990 under the cooperation programme between Japanese archaeologists and Vietnam Archaeology Institute to excavate some ancient tombs in Nghia Dan district of the Central province of Nghe An. In November, 1998, Masanari found a piece of mould for casting bronze drums aging in the 1st-3rd century AD. This is very valuable for studying bronze drums in Vietnam. In 2006, he successfully finished his Ph.D dissertation and he is now working at Vietnam Archaeology Institute.