Many rare artifacts are founded at Con Son Pagoda during the archaeological excavation from December 2014 to January 2015.

The archaeological excavation took place from December 2014 to January 2015, covering an area of over 315sq.m.

It has uncovered the foundations of architectural structures of the Tran dynasty in the 13th century and the Le dynasty in the 17th century, including two “Cuu Pham Lien Hoa” (nine-storey lotus tower). A total of 2,080 artifacts were founded, including 895 building material items such as bricks, tiles and ornamental items, while the remainders are home utensils made of porcelain, ceramics and terra-cotta.

Notably, the archaeologists unearthed many rare and sophisticated large-size ceremonial shoe tip-shaped bricks and tiles as well as swallow wing-shaped tiles.

The findings of this excavation, together with those in 2012, have provided a relatively complete map of the Con Son Pagoda’s central area during the Tran and Le dynasties, confirming that the pagoda used to be a major Buddhist centre which had seen many Buddhists practicing and receiving training for centuries.

Unearthed vestiges of the nine-storey lotus towers have also provided a reliable foundation for later reconstruction of the works.

Con Son Pagoda, also known as Hun Pagoda, is located at the foot of Con Son mountain in Chi Linh district, Hai Duong province.

Its another name “Thien Tu Phuc Tu” means the pagoda is blessed by the God. The pagoda was built in the 10th century and was expanded in the 13th century during the Tran dynasty./.