Quang Nam (VNA) – A group of archaeological experts from India andtheir Vietnamese partners unexpectedly hit an ancient road while excavating andrestoring temples K and H at the My Son Sanctuary in the central province ofQuang Nam.

The road is 8 metres in width and located between two parallel walls built fromterra-cotta bricks. It started at behind temple K but how long it is and whenit was built remain a mystery. Experts believed that the road may be reserved forroyal members and religious dignities when attending religious ceremonies atthe sanctuary.

In addition to preserving temple K, Vietnamese and Indian experts decided torestore 50 metres of the unveiled road and the walls as they hold preciousarchaeological values. The remaining of the road is still hidden underground.

Theexcavation group also found several valuable artefacts, including two stonestatues of lion-man, at the site.

Head of the My Son World Heritage site Management Board Phan Ho hoped that thescientists will soon reach conclusion on the road’s scale, purpose andsignificance, saying that the move will increase cultural values and unravelthe mystery of the ancient Cham temples.

Oncethe religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom, My Son Sanctuary islocated in a hilly landscape in Duy Phu commune, Duy Xuyen district, about 70km southwest of Da Nang city and 40 km from Hoi An city.

It comprises eight groups of 71 monument built throughout the 7th -13thcenturies.

The first construction of My Son dated back to the 4th century under the reignof Bhadravarman for the worship of God Shiva-Bhadresvara. But later on, thetemple was destroyed.

At the beginning of the 7th century, King Sambhuvarman had it rebuilt andrebaptised Sambhu-Bhadresvara. Each new monarch came to My Son after hisaccession to the throne for the ceremony of purification and to presentofferings and erect new monuments, which explains why My Son is the only placewhere Cham art flourished without interruption from the 7th to 13th century.

The temples in My Son were built into groups that basically followed the samemodel. Each group was comprised of a main sanctuary (Kalan), surrounded bytowers and auxiliary monuments. The Kalan, which is a symbol of Meru Mountain(centre of the universe, where the gods live), is dedicated to Shiva. The smalltemples are devoted to the spirits of the eight compass points. In the towers,topped with tiled, covered roofs, were stocked to the offerings and sacredobjects of the pilgrims. Cham temples do not have windows, so they are verydark inside. Windows are found only in the towers.

Extensive research and restoration work to preserve the Cham architecturalheritage have been carrying out since it became a world heritage site since1999.-VNA