New Nam Giao altar discoveries in Thanh Hoa

Recent excavation of the Ho dynasty’s Nam Giao altar relic in central Thanh Hoa Province’s Don Son mountain has uncovered the oldest altar with an undamaged platform.

The discovery was announced at a workshop, held by the Institute of Archaeology and the Thanh Hoa Culture and Information Department in Thanh Hoa Province on November 24.

Researchers said the excavated part of the vestige of the Tay Do Nam Giao altar has a spectacular structure.

They said the altar has many platforms with its east, west and north sides surrounded by stone walls and its South side leaning on a wall created by a range of mountain. This special design has not been found in other altars to date.

Archaeologists said the altar vestige contributes to a greater understanding of the Ho dynasty and the history of the Thang Long-Hanoi.

In the first excavation in 2005, archaeologists found a vestige of relic foundations and steps that they confirmed were part of the Nam Giao altar platform of the Ho dynasty.

The new discovery will build on existing evidence about the Ho Dynasty’s cultural dossier which will be presented to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for Nam Giao altar’s platform as a recognition a world cultural heritage site.

Vietnamnet