An Phu relic is located 7 km east of Pleiku. Previously, French scholars had mentioned this relic in their research from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After many historical ups and downs and in the development process, the land where An Phu relic is located has become the largest vegetable granary in Gia Lai, supplying the province as well as the Central provinces.
In the excavation results report, Dr. Nguyen Quoc Manh, Deputy Director of the Center for Archaeological Research under the Southern Institute of Social Sciences, said the most important discovery in the excavation was the "sacred storehouse" (sacred pit) structure in the shape of a swastika, showing that this relic was a Buddhist temple.
Swastika-shaped "sacred hole" at An Phu relic
Artifacts made of gold, glass, and precious stones recovered at An Phu relic site
According to the excavation report, the "sacred warehouse" with the central part located in a circular frame and built with bricks arranged in the shape of a swastika. This structure was first known in the An Phu relic and in the Central Highlands, and is also the only one known today when placed in the general context and compared with the type of religious architectural relics belonging to ancient cultures in Central Vietnam (Champa culture), the South (Oc Eo culture) and Southeast Asia.
Inside the "sacred warehouse", experts found a set of artifacts that were offerings, including a group of gold artifacts (kamandalu vases, lotus flowers, gold leaves engraved with ancient characters), jewelry made of precious stones, glass... These are offerings placed in the structure of the "sacred warehouse" with the purpose of offering to the deity worshiped at the relic. From these results, there has been more important data to proceed to a more complete and comprehensive assessment of the An Phu relic.
Currently, in the Gia Lai Provincial Museum, there are two stone relics on display. They are two stone blocks discovered by local people in the An Phu relic area. The upper stone block is rectangular, 40 cm high, with adjacent sides 58 cm long, 66 cm wide, and has a circular hole in the center. The lower stone block is square, balanced, and 51 cm high.
According to information from Gia Lai Provincial Museum, during the survey and research on relics and artifacts, experts believe that An Phu relic dates back to around the 12th - 15th century. These two stone blocks could be part of the ancient Cham altar. This is also the only Champa relic discovered in Pleiku City to date.
Talking to Thanh Nien reporter, Mr. Le Thanh Tuan, Director of Gia Lai Provincial Museum, said: "The discoveries from this excavation are very valuable. We are preparing documents to send to the authorities and the province to propose recognition as a provincial historical relic. In addition, measures to protect, preserve artifacts and delimit areas have been and are being carried out. This is valuable data for research on the cultural and economic exchanges of ancient Champa with the highlands and the Central region. In addition, because the relic is located close to the center of Pleiku City, this is also a destination to attract tourists if we know how to exploit and promote it."
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phat-hien-kho-thieng-cua-vuong-quoc-champa-tren-cao-nguyen-185240717182338295.htm
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