Ancient Vietnamese Bronze Dong Son Drum Accidentally Discovered

AncientPages.com - Archaeologists accidentally discovered a traditional, ancient drum, an iconic artifact of the ancient Vietnamese people, dated to the Dong Son culture (700 B.C. – 100 AD).

The Dong Son kettledrum - has been found in Timor Leste, some 3,000 km from where it was made. The find suggests that thousands of years ago Vietnamese people crossed the sea to different places around Asia.

The find suggests that thousands of years ago Vietnamese people crossed the sea to different places around Asia. Credits: Timor Lester Government’s General Directorate of Art and Culture

The drum has a diameter of 1.03 meters, stands 78 centimeters high, and weighs 80 kilograms. It was found in a construction site near Baucau, the second largest city in Timor Leste, at the end of last year.

The find was only officially announced at the end of November, however, after researchers and experts had finished their evaluations.

Samples of the drum will also be sent to France for in-depth analysis of its material and age. Timor Leste experts believe that it dates back at least 2,000 years. Credits: Timor Lester Government’s General Directorate of Art and Culture

On the surface of the drum are four toad statues in the four corners and a 12-sided star in the center. Because its restoration was done in a short period, many motifs on the surface as well as the body are yet to be identified.

According to Dr. Nuno Vasco Oliveira, Advisor of the Committee of Art and Culture of the Timor Leste Government, it is almost 100 per cent certain that this is a Dong Son kettledrum and made between 700 BC to 100 BC.

The Dong Son kettledrum is a symbol of the Dong Son culture of ancient Vietnam. It has a significant size and a balanced shape. Credits: Timor Lester Government’s General Directorate of Art and Culture

This is not the first time a Dong Son kettledrum has been found in the region. Two others were unearthed previously but their surfaces were badly damaged.

On the surface of the drum are four toad statues in the four corners and a 12-sided star in the center. Credits: Timor Lester Government’s General Directorate of Art and Culture

This most recent find has been well-preserved. The fact the item was found confirms the appearance of Vietnamese in the region and the Dong Son culture.

The Dong Son kettledrum is a symbol of the Dong Son culture of ancient Vietnam. It has a significant size and a balanced shape. The sophisticated patterns depict the daily life of people during the period and also show the artistic skills of the sculptors.

AncientPages.com

source:

Vietnam Economic Times

Vietnam.net