The treasures of the ancient kingdom in Southern Vietnam

Rings, rings, jewelry inlaid with gold and beads of the Funan people about 1,500 years ago in South Vietnam were first displayed in Saigon.

More than 300 artifacts excavated from relics in An Giang, Kien Giang, Dong Thap, Long An . called " Treasure of the ancient kingdom " are on display at the Museum of Vietnamese History (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City). HCM).

They belong to the ancient country of Funan , existed from the I-VII century.It used to be a prosperous and territorial kingdom, including the Southern region of Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and the northern part of the Malay Peninsula.In the picture are the gold rings engraved with the image of Nandi bull - the Funan of the old Phu Nam people, is considered very delicate.

In 1944, French archaeologist Louis Malleret first discovered Oc Eo - Ba The (An Giang) relic - the bustling port of Phu Nam people.He excavated and obtained many valuable artifacts, especially gold jewelry.Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Director of the Museum of History - said that these are all treasures of the ancient Phu Nam kingdom, carved out in the hands of the jeweler.

Golden beads.After the relic in Oc Eo, more relics of the old Phu Nam people were found through fieldwork and excavation in Kien Giang, Long An, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai . These relics are kept in warehouses of provincial museums and public places are less accessible.

The leaf gold plates are manipulated with petals, wheels, moon . or carved images of gods and elephants.They are evaluated with very sophisticated techniques, demonstrating the high level of manipulation and aesthetics of the ancient goldsmith.In the picture is an elephant carved on a gold leaf.

Petal yellow leaves.

Material for jewelry making is also precious stones, colored stones, agate, glass and earthenware.Some beads were still touched, painted on the outside with many lively themes.According to Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, the beads are the most collected artifacts at Oc Eo relic, shaped like those found in India, Greece and Rome . This proves Oc Eo port used to be big trading place, connecting many economies and cultures of the ancient world.

In the relics, scientists also found a seal that was widely used in India and ancient Rome.The seals of the old Phu Nam people not only showed the function of social management but also incorporated into jewelry.

The Funan Kingdom is famous as a "land of gold", so goldsmiths are very developed.Products made for the needs of decoration, belief and international trade.In the picture is a terracotta crucible.

An old goldsmith's mold in the Oc Eo area.

The Kingdom of Funan after centuries of existence has weakened, gradually conquered by other nations and mysteriously disappeared.