Detecting an ancient stone site built Ho's Citadel

In the afternoon of August 5, in the district of Vinh Loc, Thanh Hoa, the Ho Chi Minh Citadel Preservation Center organized a scientific report on the discovery of an ancient stone exploitation site which Ho used for exploitation and processing. stone works built this magnificent citadel.

According to the affirmation of Professor Luu Tran Tieu, Chairman of Vietnam National Cultural Heritage Council: 'This new discovery is considered one of the most important discoveries in management, conservation and research. save and promote the value of the Ho Dynasty's heritage. "

He said that this would be a reliable scientific base to add to the heritage of Ho Chi Minh City's scientific record, which reportedly extended the area as Vietnam's commitment to UNESCO.

"It was this discovery that gradually found the official answer to the question: 'Where is the construction stone taken?' but for many decades, domestic and foreign researchers have worked hard to find out, but have yet to get a satisfactory answer, ' he said.

East Gate of Ho Dynasty with massive stone dome.

The ancient stone exploitation site is located in An Ton mountain area, Phu Luu village, Vinh Yen commune. This is a limestone mountain, with the highest peak of 126.5m. The mountain has a gentle slope toward the West, an area of ​​about 25,292ha. Stone is divided into reservoirs, in the style of each layer, each layer is very convenient for peeling.

The discovered stones are distributed on a very wide range, running along the foot and south-east flank of the Phu Luu range, starting from Nam Canal (irrigation canal) to the beginning of Phu Luu village, parallel to the child. The flood-proof road of the village, with an area of ​​about 6ha.

The most discovered area of ​​the ancient stone slabs is in the valley of folklore known as the Valley, Dan Hop or Thung Dung Horses.

Up to this point, the Ho Chi Minh City Heritage Center has discovered 21 large stones. Based on the imprints of crafting and crafting, it is still very clear on the sides of the stone slabs, at the same time through the analysis of stone slabs at Thanh Nha Ho wall, through the excavation of Nam's door. In 2008, it can be said that the stones discovered in the Phu Luu mountain range are stone slabs exploited by Ho with the purpose of building the capital. However, these stones are due to technical errors (broken edges, broken corners) so these stones have been abandoned and not used.

Based on the traces of manipulation and exploitation, it can be seen that the stone is manufactured by Ho's house on the spot, then it will be transferred to build and perfect the technique. In particular, some of the stones were discovered to have a very square shape and size, similar in shape and technique to the stone slabs at Citadel of Ho. These stones are crafted relatively elaborately, with from three to four sides, the surface is very clear with the trace of crafting.

With the special importance of this new discovery, coming here, Thanh Hoa Province, the Ho Chi Minh City Heritage Center will coordinate with the people and local authorities to protect the original state of the ancient stone blocks. Particularly, the whole area of ​​Yen Ton mountain in general, responsible for human encroachment and impact.

According to the estimate of the Citadel of Ho Chi Minh City Heritage Center, there are about 25,000m3 of stone used to build the walls, the total rock surface is still measured at 10.1 million m2, the average weight per block stone weighs 10-20 tons, particularly in the western city, there is a huge stone block weighing 26.7 tons.