Stories from beneath the earth

Updated: 06:23, 02/02/2025

Located to the north of the Thang Long Citadel, the ancient land of Bac Giang is not only renowned for its resilience in defending against foreign invasions but also for preserving deep memories of time. Through archaeological sites and artifacts discovered throughout the region, Bac Giang appears as a vibrant tapestry showcasing its continuous movement and development over thousands of years, in harmony with the historical flow of the nation.

According to researchers, based on the artifacts found in various areas of the province, the ancient Vietnamese people were present in Bac Giang for a very long time.

Through archaeological excavation, many relics have been uncovered at Cao Pagoda in Luc Nam district.

From the Old Stone Age and the New Stone Age to the Metal Age, thousands of relics such as stone axes, stone hoes, stone knives, as well as tools and weapons made of iron and bronze, have been discovered in many localities, providing evidence of human existence in this land.

Particularly in recent years, with the aim of researching the cultural values of the Ly and Tran dynasties, especially the traces of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect system to support the local cultural and tourism development strategy, archaeological projects have focused more on relics from this period, yielding significant results

In 2019, the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology collaborated with the Bac Giang Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to excavate the area around Vinh Nghiem Pagoda in Quoc Khanh village, Tri Yen commune, Yen Dung district (now Bac Giang city).

Notably, the excavation uncovered a wealth of architectural materials and decorative items such as bricks with raised floral, vine, and phoenix patterns from the Tran period, showing the advanced production capabilities of the Vietnamese people at that time.

In 2020, the two units continued the excavation at the Bia Hill (Linh Quy Pagoda) site in An Thuong commune, Yen The district over an area of 400 square meters.

The results revealed architectural materials, ceramics, porcelain, pottery, and metal objects. These architectural materials dated from the Tran to the Le and Nguyen dynasties, with the Tran period materials playing a dominant role.

In addition, numerous statues of humans, divine bird figures, tiles with Bodhi leaf patterns, and bricks with stupa prints were discovered here.

The excavation team noted that the remnants of Linh Quy Pagoda indicate it was a rare heritage site reflecting the high level of craftsmanship and civilization of the Tran dynasty and the people of Dai Viet at that time.

Visitors to the exhibition on the typical artifacts of the Ly and Tran dynasties in Bac Giang province at the Tay Yen Tu Ecological - Spiritual Tourism Area.

Furthermore, the discovery of Linh Quy Pagoda proved the widespread influence of the Truc Lam Zen sect not only in the three districts of Luc Nam, Luc Ngan, and Son Dong in the western part of Yen Tu mountain range but also in the whole Bac Giang province.

Recent archaeological findings in Bac Giang once again reaffirm the broad and deep values of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect's ideology and its preservation through the ages.

Although there is still some regret over archaeological projects that have not been better funded with larger areas and longer timelines to truly uncover the full historical significance, we can still be proud of Bac Giang—a land of culture, dynamism, and heroism.

These findings inspire greater belief, provide motivation, and fuel the desire for Bac Giang to thrive in the new era.

Nguyen Truong