The Mukhalinga statue, one of the nation's treasures, is exhibited for the public at Hai Bà Trưng Square in Long Xuyên City, An Giang Province from August 7 to 10. – VNS Photo Hồng Linh
AN GIANG – A ceremony to announce the recognition of a Mukhalinga statue as a Vietnamese nation treasure was held at the Mekong River Delta province of An Giang on Monday.
The Mukhalinga statue, also known as Ekamukhalinga, is a statue of the Hindu god Shiva and the eighth national treasure of An Giang province.
It is 91cm tall, made of fine-grained blackish-gray basalt stone, and its surface is covered with a light gray patina.
It has been determined to date back to the AD 6th century, making it the earliest known sculpture depicting the mukha (face) symbol in the Óc Eo culture in the southern region of Việt Nam.
The artefact, discovered in 1986 in Vọng Thê Commune, Thoại Sơn District in An Giang, has been preserved at the An Giang Provincial Museum ever since.
Nguyễn Khánh Hiệp, a senior official of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of An Giang, said the Mukhalinga statue is not only a unique work of art but also a valuable historical document, reflecting not only the process of cultural exchange but also the cultural and historical achievements of the people of the South during the exploration and development of the region.
The Óc Eo - Ba Thê is considered one of the significant historical heritage sites of Việt Nam. It is believed to have been a prosperous commercial port of the once-powerful Phù Nam Kingdom two millennia ago.
In addition, it will have an exhibition featuring eight national treasures that the province is currently preserving at Hai Bà Trưng Square in Long Xuyên City from August 7 to 10.
The Golden Nandin ring, one of the national treasures found in the archaeological site of Gò Giồng Cát, An Giang Province at the exhibition. – VNS Photo Hồng Linh
A national treasure is a tangible cultural heritage or object that is significant to the country's history, culture, or scientific evidence of history. – VNS
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