CaoBang (VNA) – Recent archaeological findings at Ban Phu Citadel, NaLu Citadel, and Ban Thanh hamlet in the northern mountainous province of CaoBang were released on December 26.

Toshed new light on historical issues in Cao Bang, the Institute of Archaeologyunder the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences recently coordinated with the CaoBang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to conduct excavations of BanPhu Citadel (Hung Dao commune, Cao Bang city), Na Lu Citadel (Hoang Tungcommune, Hoa An district), and Ban Thanh hamlet (Hung Dao commune, Hoa Andistrict).

Accordingto historical records, Ban Phu Citadel was where three kings of the Mac Dynasty(1527 - 1592), namely Mac Kinh Cung, Mac Kinh Khoan, and Mac Kinh Vu, grantedaudiences.

Excavatinga 150 sq.m area in the south of this citadel, archaeologists found a number ofpottery and porcelain pieces dating back to the Ly Dynasty (1009 - 1225), theTran Dynasty (1225 - 1400), the Le So (1428 - 1527) Dynasty, and the Mac Dynasty, with most of the objects belonging to the Mac Dynasty. Besides, the majority of pottery items from Chinadiscovered there date back to the Ming Dynasty in the 17th century.

Basingon the findings, scientists perceived that Ban Phu Citadel was built in aroundthe 17th century, the same time the Mac clan retreated to Cao Bangafter they had been defeated in Thang Long capital, now Hanoi.

Meanwhile,Na Lu is one of the four most important ancient citadels in Cao Bang. It wasbuilt at an order by Gao Pian, a general of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), when Vietnamwas under the rule of this Chinese dynasty. In the 11th century,Nung Ton Phuc, a ruler of the Quang Nguyen region (now Cao Bang),continued upgrading the facility. In 1589, the Mac clan retreated to Cao Bangand chose Na Lu Citadel as its base, according to legend and historicalrecords.

AtNa Lu, archaeologists dug a total area of 220 sp.m., discovering vestiges of acitadel gate and a wide range of objects from bricks, tiles to pottery andmetal items dating back to different historical periods like the Tang and Mingdynasties of China, and the Tran, Le Son, and Mac dynasties of Vietnam.

Atthe archaeological site in Ban Thanh hamlet, they excavated 50 sq.m. in the“Guoc da Ban Thanh” area, which was once believed to be linked with the legendof “nine lords competing for the throne” in the third century BC.

However,experts found that stone structures at Ban Thanh used materials, including limestone,pebble, brick, and wooden stake dating back to the 17th century,along with pottery items of the Ming Dynasty. They held that this could be astone bridge over a stream constructed during the Mac Dynasty.

Researchersnoted that due to limited conditions, archaeological studies were carried outon just a small scale, so they are still unable to make precise conclusions onthe history in Cao Bang. In addition, the relic sites are being damaged, andlocal authorities should take actions early to protect them./.