Waiting for funding, many ancient relics are disappearing

In 2003, the Institute of Archeology discovered nearly 20 monuments under Plei Krong hydropower reservoir (Kon Tum). But three years later, the new Institute was funded to excavate and relocate the relics here. At that time, a quarter of the ruins were destroyed by floods, soaked in water for a long time, landslides on the walls .

Some relics found at the relic of Plei Krong hydropower reservoir (Kon Tum).(Photo: VTC)

According to Dr. Ha Van Phung, Director of Vietnam Archeology, Cultural Heritage Law and Government Decrees have initially created a legal corridor for archeology, but there are still shortcomings in the past. execution process. In fact, many relics, relics have been destroyed, lost permanently in the meantime to clarify the words in the law or decree. And Plei-Krong hydropower plant is just one of many examples.

Mr. Phung said that after the project of excavating the relic site at the approved Plei Krong hydropower reservoir in 2003, the Institute of Archeology issues the issue of funding, the project owner is Vietnam Electricity Corporation. The argument that the Decree of Cultural Heritage Law stipulates that construction works are not by State capital, investors are not required to provide funding but the Ministry of Finance.

In response, the Ministry of Finance has issued a dispatch explaining: "Although there is mobilization of domestic capital and foreign borrowing, it still belongs to the concept of state capital ". And it is only when the Government Office's opinion comes that the case is resolved.

Or the recent case is the reservoir of An Khe - Knák Hydropower in the Ba river basin of Gia Lai - Binh Dinh province. This place is located in the area of ​​prehistoric cultural traces, especially the historical monument of Tay Son, which was ranked by the State. According to the Heritage Law, construction works in a heritage site will have to be surveyed and excavated first. And also according to the law, the investor unit is Vietnam Electricity Corporation will provide funding for archeology.

However, the Electricity Corporation argues that its work capital is mobilized from a variety of sources, not just from the state budget, so they have no responsibility to spend money on surveying and excavation. at An Khe - Knák. And it took 2 years of struggle with how many documents passed between the relevant units, the new excavation project was funded. The heartbreaking consequence of this use is that a quarter of the ruins are destroyed by flooded water.

Tuyen Quang hydropower project also fell into a similar situation. The flooded area of ​​this project is within 12 communes and 1 town in 3 provinces: Tuyen Quang, Ha Giang and Bac Kan. After many years of functional agencies proposing and proposing, the new investor temporarily provided funds for the investigation of 4 communes near the foot of the dam. And the results of the excavation have brought about unexpected results: The first time we found a tomb of people from Hoa Binh culture tens of thousands of years ago, there are 2 "money" snails placed in the corpse eye socket, first seen in Vietnam and possibly Southeast Asia. However, the remaining eight communes are still submerged in water, in which some places have previously discovered the ancient Tay graves. And beer and many valuable relics in Thuy Loa, Yen Hoa, Da Vi . (Tuyen Quang), Na Mau (Ha Giang) also suffered the same fate.

"In the near future, the fate of more than 41 archaeological relics in the Son La hydropower reservoir was discovered by the Institute of Archeology nearly 10 years ago if the situation remains," said Phung.

Mr. Phung said that 41 relics in Son La have been discovered since 1998. Many relics of high historical value such as Le Loi beer in Lai Chau town, Ca Nang beer in Quynh Nhai, touching Pa Mang ancient stone in Thuan Chau, Deo Van Long mansion in Lai Chau town, multi-revolutionary tree in Pac Mai .

But so far, excavation and conservation projects have remained in place because of no money and no one knows who. Now, the Institute of Archeology wants to apply for funding to re-evaluate the relics because almost 10 years have not yet known which ones are missing. The Son La Hydropower Project Management Board has promised to consider resolving it half a month ago but has yet to see it.

Minh Thuy