Since the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi was registered by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 2010, the management, conservation, restoration and promotion of heritage values have been implemented well according to recommendations. of UNESCO and the commitment of the Prime Minister. In particular, archaeological excavations are always emphasized.

From 2011 to present, the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center has coordinated with the Institute of Archeology (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) and the Vietnam Archaeological Association to conduct excavations and archaeological research. archeology in the Central area (King Thien Main Palace area) with a total area of more than 10,000 square meters. The excavations have achieved great results in understanding the values of the World Heritage Site of Thang Long – Hanoi Imperial Citadel and at the same time obtained many new highly authentic documents that contribute to research. and restored Kinh Thien Main Palace.

In order to introduce important archaeological discoveries in 2023 and summarize archaeological work from 2011 to present, on December 21, 2023, the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center and the Institute of Archeology organized Scientific Conference “Preliminary report on results of exploratory excavation of Kinh Thien main palace area in 2023 and Results of excavation and research from 2011 to present at Thang Long Imperial Citadel” at No. 9, Hoang Dieu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi; with nearly 100 delegates representing central agencies, Hanoi City, Departments, Agencies, Research Institutes, Universities and scientists attending and contributing opinions.

I. Regarding archaeological work in 2023

Results of archaeological excavations in 2023
Implementing Decision No. 918/QD-BVHTTDL dated April 11, 2023 and 1463/QD-BVHTTDL dated June 7, 2023 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism on archaeological excavations in the Central area Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi, Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center has coordinated with the Institute of Archeology to conduct exploratory excavations in the East – North area of the Kinh Thien Palace foundation relic with a total area more than 1,000m2 in 3 locations; Department of Operations, Kinh Thien and Hau Lau Palace grounds. To date, preliminary results are as follows:

+ The excavation pit on the north side of the War Department’s house has revealed some fragments of Dan Tri yard as well as traces of Ngu Dao following the results of the excavation in 2022, the architectural foundation of the Ly Dynasty.

+ Location on the foundation of Kinh Thien Palace: Exploration holes were opened directly on the foundation of Kinh Thien Palace. Up to now, at the locations of exploratory excavations, architectural traces of the Nguyen Dynasty (19th – 20th centuries), the Trung Hung Le Dynasty (17th – 18th centuries) and the Early Le Dynasty (17th – 18th centuries) have been revealed. XV – XVI centuries). Basically, the excavation provided two important information: The structure and foundation of Kinh Thien main palace during the Le dynasty and the Le Trung Hung period, 17th – 18th centuries.

+ Location south of Hau Lau: Two layers of architecture have been revealed during the Le Trung Hung period, (17th – 18th centuries) and the early Le (15th – 16th centuries). The Renaissance of the Le Dynasty and the Tran Dynasty (XIII-XIV centuries) included roads, brick foundations, column foundations, foundation bundles… These vestiges have a relationship with the vestiges excavated in 2021, related to palaces of many periods in this area.

In addition to architectural vestiges, the excavation also recovered many types of relics of bricks, tiles, glazed ceramics, and earthenware related to the architectural development and life of the Royal Palace here.

On-site display of archaeological pits on the Kinh Thien Palace foundation area
Archeology at the Kinh Thien Palace foundation area in 2023 has obtained extremely important results; That is, the temple foundation’s stratigraphy is over 3m thick with continuous cultural layers from the Nguyen Dynasty to the Early Le Dynasty. In the cultural layer, part of the remains of Long Thien Palace of the Nguyen Dynasty and Kinh Thien Palace of the Le Dynasty have been identified. This shows that the main hall’s vestiges are still very well preserved underground.

To promote the value of the monument, the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center coordinated with the Institute of Archeology to select 02 typical excavation pits, accurately and vividly reflecting the vestiges of the Kinh Duong Palace. The Le dynasty will be displayed on-site to introduce to all people and tourists at home and abroad. This exhibition uses panels, video clips, and lighting systems to provide the shortest and most concise explanation of the process of building, forming, and destroying Kinh Thien Palace, as well as the research to reveal and recreate it. with 2D and 3D images of this important relic in recent years.

II. Summary of Archaeological work from 2011 to present

Results of excavations and archaeological research from 2011 to present
After the Imperial Citadel Center of Thang Long – Hanoi was honored by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, from 2011 until now, the management, conservation, restoration and promotion of heritage values have received great support. Very close attention and direction from the City Party Committee, Hanoi People’s Committee, participation and contributions from ministries, central branches and scientists in many fields. In particular, archaeological excavation work is always focused, ensuring serious implementation according to UNESCO’s recommendations and the Prime Minister’s commitment to the International Council on Monuments and Relics (ICOMOS).

From 2011 to present, the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center has coordinated with the Institute of Archeology (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) and the Vietnam Archaeological Association to conduct excavations and archaeological research. archeology in the Central area (King Thien Main Palace area) with a total area of more than 10,000 square meters. The excavations have achieved great results in understanding the outstanding global values of the World Heritage Site of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi, and at the same time obtained many new authentic documents. Cao contributed to the research and restoration of Kinh Thien Main Palace.

The excavation results have identified a rich system of relics and relics and initially identified part of the architectural structure of the Kinh Thien Main Palace area during the early Le Dynasty (15th century – early 16th century) and the early 16th century. Le Trung hung (17th-18th centuries) includes Kinh Thien Main Palace, Ngu Dao, Dai Trieu yard, gates, surrounding walls and surrounding corridors.

In particular, the excavation work in 2023 has achieved very positive results in identifying traces of Kinh Thien Palace. Surveying at the excavation pit, the international team of experts from the World Heritage Center (UNESCO, ICOMOS) and domestic experts highly appreciated the fact that they could see with their own eyes that under the foundation of Kinh Thien Palace, the remains were still very well preserved. architectural vestiges of many historical periods. This is the scientific basis with high authenticity in the study of restoration/restoration of Kinh Thien main palace.

Displaying the results of archaeological research during the Le Dynasty at the Central Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center in collaboration with the Institute of Archeology organizes the exhibition of images “Results of archaeological research in the Le Dynasty at the Central Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi” since 2011 – nay”, this is a systematic research display, promoting the authenticity of relics and relics combined with interpretation using 2D and 3D images, the display shows 3 main issues:

+ Central Axis Layout and Kinh Thien Palace Space

+ Structure of Kinh Thien Palace during the Le Dynasty

+ Typical relics explaining the palace architecture in the Central area.

The excavation results in 2023 as well as the journey over the past 10 years have contributed great value, contributing to affirming and increasing the outstanding global value of the World Heritage site Thang Long Imperial Citadel Central Area – Hanoi, towards a new vision to develop strategies for research, conservation and interpretation of heritage.

III. Mission directions in the future

Pursuant to the 2010 Commitment; Hanoi 2022 Announcement (International scientific conference: “20 years of researching, preserving and promoting the value of the World Heritage Site of Thang Long – Hanoi Imperial Citadel” September 2022); Recommendation 2023 and the results of archaeological excavations from 2011 – 2023, the Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center will coordinate with the Institute of Archeology to develop an “Archaeological strategy in the Central Axis area Thang Long Imperial Citadel” in which the focus is Kinh Thien Main Palace and Kinh Thien Main Palace space. In addition, it is necessary to study the Inner Palace area (behind Kinh Thien Palace) where the king worked daily. The results of archaeological research during this period play an important role in providing authentic bases for the heritage interpretation strategy and towards the restoration of King Thien Main Palace and the space of Kinh Thien Main Palace.