Two tombs and a perfectly preserved well that are believed to date back between 4th and 6th century have just been dug up in Hanoi’s Ciputra residential area.
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| Two tombs lie in parallel in Ciputra residental area (Photo: VnExpress) |
On the evening of April 1, when workers were working on roads and installing plumbs in an area next to a road leading to Thang Long Bridge, an excavator hit a tomb made of refined bricks.
The big tomb is 4.7 meters in length, 2 meters in width and height.
After the find was reported, the roadwork was postponed and excavation began the next day, according to archeologist Nguyen Lan Cuong.
Later, a small tomb 2 meters in length, 1.2 meters in width and 1 meter in height lying parallel to the old one was also discovered.
Experts said the two tombs had been buried two meters underground.
Professor Cuong said refined bricks were used to form a dome over the two tombs. There are some decorative patterns like coins or fish bones carved the bricks.
There are also Chinese writings on the tombs but their meanings have not been deciphered.
After 10 days of excavation, the Institute of Archaeology collected 28 artifacts from the big tomb, 5 others at the small tomb, 9 rusty nails and some charred rice grains.
There was no sign of a sarcophagus or corpse but they might have been rotten or disintegrated.
“The two tombs were constructed in Han style under the colonial period but their owners could be Vietnamese,” said Cuong.
The most precious find is a beautiful vase in the shape of a rooster complete with crest, eyes and tail.
However, Cuong also regretted that some artifacts are missing and the he could not identify the buried person, if there is one.
Whole village underneath?
On April 14, workers at Ciputra residential area also stumbled on an old well near the era where the two tombs were discovered.
Excavators then dug down one meter, revealing the upper part of the well intact.
The well is said to resemble the one in Thang Long Citadel.
On digging 2 meters deeper on April 18, archeologists still could not see the whole body of the well.
Doctor Cuong said it is possible that the well was built in the same era as the two tombs.
“I think under the tombs and wells, there are groups of heritages, possibly a whole village by Hong [Red] River,” anticipated Cuong.
He said in foreign countries, on encountering precious works like these, people will often keep and preserve them right at the site.
Cuong also added the Hanoi Museum has plans to “move the well to its premises”.
“However, there is a possibility that after April 20, when the excavation period is over, constructors will continue to level the place and install plumbs.”
Here are some pictures in courtesy:
