Thanh Hoa plans further excavations in mausoleum site

Nguyen Mieu in the complex of Trieu Tuong Mausoleum.

Trieu Tuong Mausoleum was built by King Gia Long (who reigned between 1802 and 1820) in 1803 at Gia Mieu Village, Ha Long Commune, Ha Trung District.

The site was the homeland of nine lords and 13 kings of the Nguyen Dynasty.

The site, which was built over a large area, has special values in archaeology and art with abundant decorative sculptures and carvings.

The site has been almost destroyed many times and there remain only remnants of the foundation.

A recent excavation explored the remnants of the northern citadel wall and gate; eastern wall; western gate; southern gate; wall of temples; subordinate gates and other structures like a small temple, half circle lake, bridges and lotus lake.

Archaeologists found that the foundation of the northern and northeastern wall is almost intact, which runs 80m in length and 1.8m in width.

A great number of objects have been unearthed including building materials, ceramics, terracotta and metal.

Inside the northern gate, archaeologists found remnants of two guard towers on the left and right.

A great number of objects have been unearthed including building materials, ceramics, terracotta and metal. Among them, nearly 3,000 pieces are broken bowls, jars glazed in brown, and white background with blue drawings, which date from between the 16th and 20th centuries.

Prof Tong Trung Tin, chairman of the Viet Nam Archaeology Institute, said unearthed objects and foundations reveal that the mausoleum site has a different structure and uses more sophisticated building techniques than any other ancient mausoleum found in the country.

Historical books mentioned that the mausoleum has walls around the outer boundary, then a canal, then the citadel wall again surrounding worship temples with Nguyen Mieu in the centre.
Tin said Trieu Tuong Mausoleum is somewhat similar to The Mieu in Hue.

“The Mieu worships Nguyen kings and lords while Trieu Tuong Mausoleum worships ancestors of Nguyen dynasty at their homeland, which hosts the tomb of Great ancestor Emperor Nguyen Kim,” Tin noted.

“Results of the excavation have provided many important scientific materials for doing research on royal mausoleums system of Nguyen Dynasty in Thanh Hoa Province, in particular, and Vietnam, in general,” he said. “The information will be crucial for renovating the sites in the future.”

Trieu Tuong Mausoleum up to now is the only intact royal worship site in Vietnam.

Tin said Trieu Tuong Mausoleum up to now is the only intact royal worship site in Vietnam.

“Thanh Hoa Province should make a dossier to submit the culture ministry to recognise Trieu Tuong Mausoleum as a National Relic Site,” he said.

He suggested concerned agencies to care comprehensively to preserve the site.

VNS