Sacrificed buffalo skeleton found at heritage site

HA NOI — An animal skeleton found at Nam Giao worshipping platform in central Thanh Hoa Province is believed to be the first such discovery in the history of archaeology in Viet Nam.

The undamaged buffalo skeleton was uncovered at the Ho Citadel in Vinh Loc Commune.

Vu The Long, of the Viet Nam Institute of Archaeology, said the find was a big surprise for scientists as nothing similar had been found at the worshipping platforms of different dynasties across the country.

The fact the buffalo skeleton was buried directly underneath the biggest surrounding wall of Nam Giao platform led scientists to believe it was sacrificed when Royal Mandarin Ho Quy Ly ordered the platform built in 1402. The buffalo was sacrificed and then buried underneath the platform wall, he said.

After scientific research, the skeleton will be restored for display at the Ho Citadel, a World's Cultural Heritage.– VNS