Hindu pantheon as observed on the gold plaques found from Southern Vietnam Le Thi Lien Institute of Archaeology Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences
Introduction The discoveries of the main sites: The deities in Hindu pantheon and the evolution of iconography Conclusion
Distribution of Hindu sites and artifacts in Southern Vietnam
5 1 Sites discussed: 1- Go Thap 2- Da Noi 3- Nen Chua 4- Ke Mot 5- Cat Tien 3 4 2
1-Go Thap site Buddha Pond and Gold Pond Grave mound Ba Chua Xu Mound Settlement and cemetary area Minh Su mound Excavated pits, opened Excavated pits, filled
Go Thap site Brick foundation at Ba Chua Xu mound Brick foundation at Minh Su mound
1- Go Thap site, Dong Thap province Remain of 7 temple architectures are unearthed from Go Mo area Collections of gold plaques (321 pieces) can datable from late centuries BC to the 5 th century AD. Inscription, 93GT.M1 Central brick structure of temple 93GT.M1 Linga in railing, 93GT.M4
Images of gods from Go Thap site Vishnu images from 93GT.M4
2- Da Noi site, An Giang province Artifacts found from 7 architectural remains: 85.DN.M2: 103 gold plaques, 1 gold linga-yoni on bronze alloy altar covered by two bronze bowls 85.DN.M4: 162 gold plaques, 2 precious stones,1 piece of coin 85.DN.M3: 31 gold plaques, 1 gold ring, 5 precious stones, 1 bead 85.DN.M5: 17 gold plaques, 1 precious stone,1 piece of iron 85.DN.M1, M6, M7: central structures are looted Temple foundation 85.DN.M2 (9.2x5.8m) and central structure (Drawing by Bui Xuan Long)
Gold plaques from Da Noi site Vra va sa? (85DN.M3:23) Vā ya vau ra a? (85DN.M4:32),
Sramghora Srudipya Sakhigcara Images from architectural remain 85DN.M3, Da Noi site 3 others with inscriptions: Saka, Gopya, Sradha Vrahasghamni
3- Nen Chua site Largest architectural remain on Nen Chua mound (25.6x16.3m). Main temple: ~8x9 m; Central pit: 4x3.6m. 21 gold plaques found. Nandin, NC82-BCX6 NC83-NC1 Image of god? NC82-BCX6
4- Ke Mot site Central structure ontaining 40 artifacts, mainly gold plaques.
4-Ke Mot site:
5- Cat Tien site Temple G1A: 12x12m (foundation), 3 terraccota and 1 silver boxes containing the small lingas. Grand Linga: 2.1m in height 166 gold plaques (25 pieces with images of gods and goddesses; 37with inscription, many pieces with symbols and weapons, Siva Mahesvara Siva with Bhu and Parvati
Gold plaques from temple G1A 'Siva in Vinadhara- Dakshinamurti?
The Dikpalakas, from temple G1A Cat Tien Vayu Kubera I sana Varuna Indra Nirrti Yama Agni
Na ra de vo nā ma Brā hma nah da nam A (ga) styah Gold plaques from G1A The one who is called Na Ra, a Brahmāna (gives this) gift (for) A (ga)stya (Reading by Michael Witzel)
Temple G2A Siva Tripurantakamurti?, Siva Gajasurasamhara murti?, Temple foundation:7.8x7.8. Central structure: 3.6x3.4m 109 gold plaques found (54 pieces have images of gods or goddesses Kartikeya Kubera
Gold plaques from temple G2A Goddess Lakshmi River goddess? Unidetified gods
Images from temple G2A (Dikpalakas?)
Temple G2A 6 pieces represent groups of 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 gods/goddesses)
Temple G3: Architectural foundation: 9.6x9.6m 28 gold plaques (17 with inscription; 11 with symbols and emblems. No image of god/goddess Temple G4: Architectural foundation: 9.2x8.7m Heavily looted 1 large crystal Sivalinga found Temple G5: Architectural foundation: 6x6m Heavily looted 1 stone mukhalinga found
Temple complex G6 Temple G6A: 90 artifacts found from the central structure. Gold plaques from temple G6A
Temple G6B Architectural foundation: 7.3x5.4m; 19 gold plaques 4 pottery and silver boxes containing 4 gold, silver &ivory lingas Va ya vya (Vayu) Kubera I sana Brahma Vedi Varuna Indra Niriti (Nrrti) Yama Agni Inscriptions on gold plaques from temple G6B
Characteristic of art and the chronology of gold plaques from the main sites Go Mo (Go Thap) Da Noi Clumsy and sketchy symbols, very few anthropomorphic images More stylized and complex symbols, increased number of anthropomorphic images Last centuries B.C.? A.D. 5 th century A.D. 4 th - 6 th centuries Nen Chua Simple line drawing. A.D. 4 th - 6 th centuries Ke Mot Simple line drawing. Mainly symbols A.D. 7 th cent. Cat Tien (1A, 2A, 6A, 6B) Stylized and characterized anthropomorphic images Late A.D. 7 th - 8 th centuries
Chronology of several temples at Cat Tien site G1A G 2A G 3 Middle 8 th cent. AD Late 8 th cent. AD 8 th cent. AD G6A G6B Late7th- Early 8 th cent. AD Early 8 th cent. AD
Conclusion Hindu belief was propagated early to southern Vietnam. The ceremonies of temple construction were well practiced during the early 1 st Millenium AD. Its pantheon (mainly Visnu, Siva and mother goddess) were firstly represented by the emblems on the tiny gold plaques, Gold plaques reflects a longer process of iconographical development and much richer pantheon of Hindu deities than those on sculpture. The presence of gods and goddesses, and their symbols indicates continuous contacts between southern Vietnam and various places in India. This type of archaeological evidence provides the most important information for the study of not only history of religion and art, but also history of cultural contact between India and Southeast Asia.
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