Mysterious ancient epitaph

Since the ancient epitaph of the Cham people was discovered 75 years ago, all information on this stone is still unknown even though many experts participated in the decoding.

This epitaph is located on the cliff with its back against the mountain, facing the A Vuong River at an altitude of nearly 700m above the sea level in Nal village, Lang commune (H.Tuan Giang, Quang Nam). The native Tu Tu residents called this stele the Achia beer, Zom tao beer. For researchers, archaeologists, the appearance of an ancient relic left in the Vietnam-Laos border is really a worthwhile thing. In particular, the ethnographer Nguyen Thuong Hy once gave up on finding the meaning of this stele. Based on previous documents, Hy said that this is a relic left by ancient Cham people.

Ancient texts on stone beer in Lang commune are said to be of ancient Cham people

Accordingly, Mr. Hy brought back the document 'Stone carving in Samo: A guess to decode the interpretation and set the date' by Daoruang Wittayarat, Ph.D. of the French High School of Applied Research. The documents of this article stated: around March 1938, during a search in the border area with Laos led by Le Pichon (an inspector of the Annam native army 2), signs were discovered. engraved on this stone tablet. In 2 days, Le Pichon luminescent and lime on an area of ​​5x12m to take photos.

In view of the origin of the epitaph of the Cham people, Mr. Nguyen Tri Hung, a national researcher (Ethnic Minority Committee of Quang Nam province) said that this stele appeared around the 13th century, when the Cham people followed 'Silk Road' through Champasak, Atapu (Laos), even to northeast Thailand to trade and trade. At that time, the best route was from Da Nang to Dai Loc (Quang Nam) up to the Ngam area straight to Atieng commune, to zone 7 (H. Giang Giang) and then to the lower Laos.

Cliffs where beer plates are discovered - (Photo: Hoang Son)

'Historically, the Cham people spent about 3 days following the' Silk Road 'to the Atieng region (epitaph position). Due to the harsh natural conditions, there were dead people along the road. Evidence today, in the area of ​​Atieng there are tombs of Cham people with a white stone tablet placed on the grave to mark. Stringing these details can be affirmed, the ancient epitaph was discovered in Lang commune of Cham people , "Hung said.Mr. Hung added, inscriptions are usually built in two cases: one is because of war, people engrave it as a record;The second is to commemorate the deceased, the past.According to Mr. Hung's explanation, this stele was formed in the second case.

'If the code is decoded, the content on the stone will prove two great values. Firstly, since ancient times, the Cham people in particular and the Vietnamese people have soon reached out of their countries to trade and do business, even though people may lie on the road. Secondly, from hundreds of years ago, the Cham people and the Co Tu natives had a very good relationship, understanding each other. The Vietnamese court and the Cham Kingdom at that time had a beautiful people's diplomatic background, residents lived together peacefully and had mutual trust. The most obvious expression is the ancient Cham tombs on the land of the living Co Tu people , "Hung said.

However, since the discovery has been 75 years old, what is written on this stone is still a mystery. In an effort to read the contents of this epitaph, about two years ago, the function of Quang Nam province had a survey to record the information for research. However, there has been no new information so far.