via Da Nang Today, 05 April 2023: A Cham tower site in Phong Le Village in Da Nang is set to the site of a branch of the Museum of Cham Sculpture.
The Da Nang People’s Council has already approved the investment policy for the construction of the branch of the Municipal Museum of Cham Sculpture located at a Cham relic site in Phong Le Village, Hoa Tho Dong Ward, Cam Le District. This not only brings good news to local residents but also brings great joy to those who love local culture and are interested in this 1,000-year-old relic. The city’s decision to spend VND 140 billion in deploying phase 1 of the project will facilitate research and conservation activities in this relic in addition to opening up bright opportunities for the area along the Cam Le River to promote its growth.
Archaeologists have conducted three excavations in 2011, 2012 and 2018 at the Phong Le Relic. Valuable finds at this site included a statue of Sinha, or lion, Garuda legendary bird’s head, an elephant-shaped altar, pieces of unique decorative patterns, and fragments of bricks.
Most notable amongst the amazing discoveries is the round, large sized statue of Sinha which was decorated intricately, especially in the abdomen and head. This special artifact has been added to a rich collection of exhibits on display at the Da Nang-based Museum of Cham Sculptures. Till date, through the excavations, archaeologists have discovered 2 special architectural features. One is believed to be the main tower which features a ‘scared hole’ that serves the religious activities of the Cham people. Remnants of this type of architecture have been only discovered at the Cam Mit relic site in group 3, Hoa Phong Commune’s Cam Toai Dong Village, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang, and at the Ponagar Cham Tower complex located in Khanh Hoa Province’s Nha Trang City.
