 |
|
Go Sanh potteries are displayed at Vietnam History Museum. |
Go Sanh ancient pottery vestige located on the bank of Con River is now consigned to oblivion.
Treasure in the earth’s womb
Many years ago, the locals in Sanh village often saw terracotta objects when building houses or reclaiming lands for rice cultivation. Villagers used the enamel potteries in their daily activities without knowing their origin.
The village was heavily bombed in 1972. An old kiln with thousands of pottery items was explored after the bomb attack. Sanh village has been well known since then.
Basing on Ha Thuc Can’s study on ancient potteries originated from Sanh village, Raxana Brown, a Southeast Asian ancient potteries researcher, was the first one mentioning Cham people’s enamel potteries in her study in 1988.
After the name Go Sanh had been used in her study, Go Sanh pottery has become well known and many archaeologists came to Go Sanh many times to make archaeological excavation.
Realizing the important role of Cham pottery in doing studies on Binh Dinh’s history and ancient pottery, Institute of Archaeology ad Binh Dinh Museum carried out four excavations at Go Sanh from 1991 to 1994.
Many studies showed that Cham potteries in Binh Dinh were present not only nationwide but abroad.
What to do with the treasure?
When antique dealers and archaeologists came to Sanh village, it suddenly became famous. The villagers were “noted that there was hidden pottery treasure under their feet.
At present, Sanh village has no change, bordering on the Con River in the north. Its three sides are surrounded by rice fields. After excavations, Sanh villagers were reminded to protect the site.
The local authority and archaeologists told them about the value of terracotta items in the earth’s womb, promising that they would return to the village to explore the treasure.
Many years have passed. Villagers have been waiting for them to return.
The local authority couldn’t do anything except that they can only raise the locals’ awareness of the vestige protection.
Some villagers said they have still gathered several pottery pots and bowls and they used them for different purposes.
It has been nearly 20 years after the first excavation, Go Sanh, a historic vestige of national magnitude, hasn’t been listed in the province’s tourism map. It hasn’t been awoken.
| 
