Priceless assets of Cham culture

In 2013, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Binh Thuan cooperated with the Institute of Social Sciences of the Southern region to organize an archaeological excavation at the Po Dam Cham tower group (Phu Lac commune, Tuy Phong district) to serve the restoration and rehabilitation of some architectural items of the relic.

Dented golden linga discovered at Po Dam tower

PHOTO: BINH THUAN MUSEUM

Unique and extremely rare golden linga of the ancient Cham people

According to Binh Thuan Museum, the archaeological process at Po Dam tower has revealed many architectural structures in the form of long houses, square houses, and ancient stairs leading up to the South tower. At the same time, archaeologists discovered many valuable artifacts here such as stone slabs with ancient Cham characters, engraved on stone recording the construction date of Po Dam tower in 710 AD.

In particular, the delegation discovered a unique and extremely rare golden Linga of the ancient Cham people. This discovery contributes to affirming the historical, cultural, spiritual and phallic worship values ​​of the ancient Cham people.

Archaeological excavations at Po Dam tower since 2013 have discovered a golden Linga.

PHOTO: BINH THUAN MUSEUM

According to experts from Binh Thuan Museum, the golden Linga found at Po Dam tower is considered a "unique" and rare artifact discovered to date in Vietnam.

The gold Linga is dated to around the 8th-9th century; the Linga weighs 78.36 grams. Through analysis of the composition of the alloy used to cast the Linga, the proportion of dragon gold accounts for 90.4%, the remaining 9.6% is silver and copper.

This is a type of Linga made of rare gold metal in ancient Cham culture. The discovery of antiquities and especially gold Linga during archaeological excavations in the cultural stratum. Not only that, it contains a lot of important information, valuable for scientific research and awareness of cultural and historical issues related to Po Dam relic in particular and Cham culture in general.

Po Dam Tower in Phu Lac Commune, Tuy Phong District, Binh Thuan has been restored.

PHOTO; BINH THUAN MUSEUM

The divine incarnation of Shiva in Hinduism

Talking to Thanh Nien reporter, historian Dr. Phan Van Bong (Da Lat City, Lam Dong) said that the value of the golden Linga discovered in Binh Thuan is not only material value, but it also has important significance in the study of history, religion, culture and education of the ancient Cham people.

Regarding religion, historian Dr. Phan Van Bong believes that Linga is the sacred incarnation of the god Shiva in Hinduism. It affirms the Cham people's worship of the god Shiva and the influence of Hinduism, as well as the blending with the traditional fertility beliefs of the Cham people.

Golden Linga announced on October 2 as national treasure

Culturally, the golden Linga is a testament to the sophisticated goldsmithing techniques of the Cham people since the beginning of the Christian era, reflecting the level of development of the art and craft of metalworking.

From a historical perspective, this discovery provides valuable information about the development of the Champa kingdom, showing cultural and commercial exchanges with other civilizations.

Archaeologists observe at Po Dam tower before archaeological excavation here.

PHOTO: BINH THUAN MUSEUM

Especially in terms of education , the discovery of the Golden Linga (and its recognition as a national treasure) will help the younger generation understand more about the brilliant civilization of the Cham people in the past until now.

In 2023, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Binh Thuan province has built a dossier on the Golden Linga artifact, advised the Provincial People's Committee to submit it to the competent authority at the Central level for consideration and recognition as a national treasure. On January 18, 2024, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 73/QD-TTg on the recognition of national treasures (12th batch). Among the 29 recognized national treasures, there is the Golden Linga found at Po Dam tower. This is an honor and pride for the people of Binh Thuan province; especially the Cham people when for the first time an artifact is recognized as a national treasure.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/linga-vang-tai-san-vo-gia-cua-van-hoa-cham-185241004124344055.htm