MAJOR FINDINGS AT THE ROYAL CITADEL SITE OF HANOI, A NEW LIGHT ON THE OLD CAPITAL'S ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURE AND CERAMICS FOR ROYAL USE THROUGH THE 1,300 YEARS' EXISTENCE OF THE CITADEL

Tran Hanh, National University of Social Science & Humanities, Hanoi

On the site: In January 2003, the National Institute of Archaeology of Vietnam was requested to conduct a survey at the would-be construction site of the National Assembly House in Hanoi. Previous study has indicated that the general area could be part of the old Thang Long citadel - capital of then
Dai Viet country through Ly (11-13th century), Tran (13-15th cent.) and Le (15-17th century) dynasties.

After the first few months, archaeologists have been able to uncover a large-scale architectural relics, with systematic structures and drainage systems, millions of artifacts including architectural material, ceramics, household items, etc. The site then recognized to be an important cultural location, and
Vietnamese Goverment endorsed the proposal of Ministry of Culture to relocate the would-be Assembly House to another place to allow scientists to further research the site and come up with preservation solutions. Total excavated area: Approximately 18,000 sqm (ever largest excavation
area in Vietnam and South East Asia). The National Archaeologist Institute has proposed to extend the excavatin to surrounding area of 50,000 sqm due to traces of continued relics.

- Total number of artifacts recovered: Over 4 millions. It is believed that, in order to properly document and establish scientific record for these artifacts, scientists from the National Archaeology would have to
spend 3 more years! It is the first time traces of a tradional architecture was found with the floor area up to over 60 sqm (Larger than the Thai Hoa Palace in Hue the latest Imperial Palace in Vietnam before the French occupation, and that of the Royal Palace in Nara, Japan) It is the first time some ceramics for royal use were found and recognized in a systematic manner.At the site, there was a continuous stratum indicating continued occupation of the place through out 1,300 years, from 7 to 19th centuries.