Discovered traces of Kinh Thien Palace in the Early Le Dynasty

The results of archaeological excavations throughout October and November at Kinh Thien Palace (part of Thang Long Imperial Citadel at 9 Hoang Dieu, Hanoi) were just announced by the Institute of Archaeology and the Center for Conservation of Co Loa Relic Site - Hanoi Ancient Citadel on the morning of December 6.

With only five excavation pits with a total area of ​​100m2, archaeologists have confirmed the age of the dragon platform in the Thang Long Imperial Citadel relic site. The results show that many vestiges of Kinh Thien Palace during the Early Le Dynasty are no longer intact (due to repairs during the Later Le Dynasty and the Nguyen Dynasty).

Scientists survey an excavation pit at the dragon platform
Kinh Thien Palace - Photo: Ha Huong

According to Associate Professor Dr. Tong Trung Tin (Director of the Institute of Archaeology), "this is the first time touching the most sacred place of Thang Long citadel" so everyone is very careful. After two months of excavation at five locations, scientists have only dug 1 meter below the ground and have not yet reached the soil layer.

Although the area is small, this excavation is considered to be extremely important in researching the architectural vestiges and scale of the ancient Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

The cultural layer of the Early Le Dynasty is clearly shown in the vestiges of the Dan Tri (dragon courtyard for the Le Dynasty kings and mandarins) built with bricks dating from the Early Le Dynasty to the Later Le Dynasty, sunk 1m below the surface. This type of courtyard covers the entire area from Doan Mon to Kinh Thien Palace. Particularly important is that under the foundation of Kinh Thien Palace, there appear three vestiges of architectural foundations 4.2m long.

Scientists believe that this could be the remains of Kinh Thien Palace during the Early Le Dynasty. The Nguyen Dynasty traces with brick foundations, wall foundations, and dam foundations were discovered at a depth of 60cm from the current surface. In particular, comparing with French photographs and archaeological results, scientists have come to the conclusion that although Kinh Thien Palace dates back to the Early Le Dynasty, the current scale of the palace foundation belongs to the Nguyen Dynasty.

According to Professor Phan Huy Le, the results of the exploratory excavations have clarified the progress of the excavation area from the 15th century to the present, especially the Early Le period. Professor Luu Tran Tieu (President of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association) affirmed that the excavation results also showed that there are still many questions that need to be clarified inside the Thang Long Imperial Citadel area to restore the original appearance of a long historical period.

Based on the excavation team's report as well as field research, Dr. Nguyen Hong Kien (Institute of Archaeology) said that when digging deeper, an additional step was discovered. So there are 10 steps, not 9, and 10 is not the number reserved for the king. The number of these stone steps also does not correspond to the number of shafts 9 and 11. To solve this problem, perhaps we should lift the stone steps to determine the remaining traces of stone steps of Kinh Thien Palace in the Early Le Dynasty.

With the results found in the central area of ​​Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Professor Phan Huy Le and some scientists suggested keeping an excavation pit that most clearly shows the cultural evolution from the Early Le Dynasty. “We have to solve the biggest difficulty of how to reinforce it to avoid flooding. But if we fill it all up, it will be a pity,” said Professor Le.

Sharing the same view, many scientists believe that it would be a waste to dig up and then fill it up. Because if the area at 18 Hoang Dieu allows visitors to clearly understand the progress from the Dai La period to the Tran period, the area at Kinh Thien Palace (9 Hoang Dieu) clearly shows the period from the early Le Dynasty to the present.

However, on the management side, Mr. Nguyen The Hung (Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage) said that it should be "temporarily filled in until there is a broader understanding and sufficient excavation, then a comprehensive conservation plan can be made".

According to Tuoi Tre