In the 4th archaeological excavation of Emperor Citadel, carried out by Vietnam Archaeology Institute and Binh Dinh Museum, archaeologists revealed vestiges of Nam Giao architecture under the Tay Son dynasty at Hon Chua, Nhon Hau Commune, An Nhon District.
Follow trace of Nam Giao altar
King Thai Duc used Nam Giao altar for acts of worship, but vestiges of Nam Giao altar are now unclear due to the historical background. The identification of Nam Giao altar’s position could, therefore, turn out highly problematic.
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Brick edge and staircase of Nam Giao altar. Photo H.T |
According to local history, Nguyen Nhac had Nam Giao altar built on a mound in the West-South of Emperor Citadel for worshipping when he ascended the throne. After studying remaining vestiges, archaeologist judged that it was Hon Chua where Nam Giao altar had been built in the Tay Son dynasty.
Hon Chua situated outside, at the corner of the West-South of Noi citadel and inside of Ngoai citadel. It was also the highest point in the Emperor Citadel. These were similar to previously known Nam Giao altars. It was only, however, an initial prediction without archaeological evidence.
Vestiges unearthed
Before excavating at Hon Chua, Dr. Le Dinh Phung thought that it was rather difficult to find out remaining architectural vestiges of Nam Giao altar. But, the excavation was in for a few surprises.
Historically, Nam Giao altar included many layers and the top one was a circle called Vien Dan. Comparing to the reality, archaeologists realized that the peak of Hon Chua was also a circle with the diameter of 36.5 m. The excavation revealed the brick foundation of Nam Giao altar of which a part was built from laterite and other part was tiled with flat bricks.
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Brick foundation of Nam Giao altar was revealed after the excavation. Photo H.T |
The broken and displaced bricks were known as made under the Tay Son dynasty. They were also used to tile foundations in Bat Giac (octagon) temple and Thuy Ho in the forbidden citadel which had been revealed in previous excavations. Basing on these vestiges, archaeologists affirmed that the revealed foundation belonged to the Tay Son dynasty.
In the second hole, covering 20.2 spm in the east of Hon Chua, archaeologists found a brick edge, creating form and stabilizing Nam Giao altar’s foundation. It can be concluded that this is an earth mound as cited in history.
Also, a brick staircase was unearthed in this hole. It was built askew, which archaeologists haven’t clearly explained, according to Dr. Le Dinh Phung.
“Discoveries proved the existence of Nam Giao altar in Emperor Citadel. Architecturally, Nam Giao altar had the same model as those of previous dynasties. Architectural vestiges of Nam Giao altar significantly proved the existence of an admitted dynasty in Vietnamese history,” added Dr. Phung.
After the excavation, it’s necessary to use all measures to well preserve unearthed architectural vestiges of Nam Giao altar. And the place of worship needs to have a detailed plan for the restoration.
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