Over 2,300 pieces of bronze drum moulds found at ancient citadel

Preliminary results from the excavation were revealed by the National Museum of History and the Bac Ninh provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Among the artefacts found was a large outer mould of the drum face, with full decorative floral motifs from the centre of the drum to the outer rim, along with mould pieces from the drum's body and feet.

This is the first time a significant collection of artefacts from the Tran Dynasty (1225 - 1400) has been found. They were dispersed across the upper layers of the site, indicating that the Luy Lau citadel area was in use for an extended period during the Tran Dynasty.

According to excavation findings, experts have confirmed that Luy Lau was a significant metallurgical and bronze casting centre. It will reveal more about the bronze drum casting techniques of ancient Vietnam and the influence of the Dong Son Culture throughout the nation’s history.

Experts said it is crucial to continue excavating and researching this workshop site in the ancient Luy Lau citadel to gain a thorough understanding of the activities related to metallurgy and bronze casting in this area.

Luy Lau is an ancient fortress situated along the Dau River, serving as the administrative centre of the Giao Chi district and the capital of Giao Chau. It was a key hub for politics, economy, commerce, and ancient religious activities in northern Vietnam in the first ten centuries AD.

This is one of the largest urban areas in northern Vietnam, with a rich and diverse number and type of relics and artefacts compared to other relic sites across the country that were active in the same period of history.

Luy Lau Citadel has attracted the attention of domestic and foreign archaeological researchers. In 1999, Dr Nishimura Masanari from Japan discovered the first bronze drum mould in the inner citadel area.

In 2014, the National Museum of History, the Bac Ninh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the University of East Asia, Japan, jointly excavated and discovered traces of a metallurgical and bronze casting workshop, finding hundreds of bronze drums moulds and related objects.