Tài liệu Di tích chùa dạm trong hệ thống các chùa thời lý tiếng anh

VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES GRADUATE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES NGUYEN VAN DAP DẠM PAGODA SITE IN THE SYSTEM OF THE LÝ-PERIOD PAGODAS Major: ARCHAEOLOGY Code: 9.22.90.17 SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL DISSERTATION THESIS HA NOI - 2019 This dissertation was completed at: GRADUATE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Supervisors: 1. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tong Trung Tin 2. Dr. Trinh Hoang Hiep Review 1: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc Review 2: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Van Tien Review 3: Dr. Le Thi Lien The dissertation will be defended before the Thesis Review Academic Board at Graduate Academy of Social Sciences, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences at hr minutes, date month year 201 The dissertation can be found at the libraries: National Library of Vietnam Library of the Graduate Academy of Social Sciences, Vietnam Academy of ocial Sciences PREFACE 1. Urgency of the thesis Dạm Pagoda with the Han characters meaning “Đại Lãm tự” (Đại Lãm pagoda) is located on the Dạm mountain of Tự hamlet, Nam Sơn commune, Bắc Ninh city, Bắc Ninh province. It was built by Nguyên Phi Ỷ Lan during 1086 – 1094, with many magnificent works functioning as great sightseeing landscapes and royal palaces comcurrently. The archaeological excavation at Dạm pagoda resulted in a complete architectural foundation of the pagoda from the Lý - Trần period. This is the first and the unique Lý-period pagoda that has been excavated on the overall architectural plane so far. The artifacts and other relics found from the archaeological excavation at Dạm pagoda are fairly abundant, providing a new perception of Dạm pagoda. From those reasons, the candidate has chosen the theme “Dạm Pagoda site in the system of the Lý-period pagodas” to be his doctoral thesis in the hope that the thesis will directly contribute to the research, the conservation and the valorization of the site values in Bắc Ninh province in particular and the values of the cultural heritage in general. 2. Research purposes and tasks of the thesis 2.1. Purposes The doctoral thesis focuses on the interpretation of Dạm Pagoda site: the architectural planes, the scale, the building techniques, the architectural decoration and so on. Through the archaeological results, the thesis will presents the evidence of the reconstructions of Dạm Pagoda in the Trần, and Lê Trung Hưng periods, the Nguyễn-period architectural plane from and the artifacts collected from the site. 2.2. Tasks - To synthesize and provide the research results of some architectural items; give comments on the stone pillar and the towers of Dạm pagoda after the comparison with other contemporary pagodas/towers and then give some initial statements of the system of towers of Dạm pagoda based on the results of the excavations. - To research into the history of Vietnamese Buddhist architecture through the comparison and analyses of some sites such as Dạm, Phật Tích 1 pagodas (Bắc Ninh province), Cao pagoda (Bắc Giang province), Ngô Xá, Long Đọi sites (Hà Nam province), Lạng pagoda (Hưng Yên province), Bà Tấm pagoda (Hà Nội), Tường Long pagoda/tower (Hải Phòng province). - To analyze, assess the values of the cultural heritage, and provide the scientific and practical database for the conservation and valorization of the values of Dạm Pagoda site area. 3. Research subjects and scale of the thesis 3.1. Research subjects They are the archaeological relics and artifacts of Dạm Pagoda site and other Lý-period pagodas in some provinces such as Bắc Ninh, Bắc Giang, Hà Nội, Hưng Yên, Hà Nam, Hải Phòng, etc. 3.2. Research scale - Contents: focus on the presentation of Dạm Pagoda site (the architectural plane, the building and decorative materials, ceramics/porcelain, stoneware, etc.); the generalization of some other Lý-period pagodas in some provinces such as Bắc Ninh, Bắc Giang, Hà Nội, Hưng Yên, Hà Nam, Hải Phòng, etc. - Time and space: Dạm pagoda site and its cultural relationship with other Lý-period pagodas in Northen Việt Nam. 4. Research methodology and approaches of the thesis - Traditional archaeological approach: Drawings, photos, charts and tables. - Multi- and Interdisciplinary approach: History, Fine Arts, Architecture, Geography, Ethnology, Sinology, etc. - Method of Dialectical and Historical Materialism. 5. New scientific contributions of the thesis - The thesis contributes to the research into the history of the Lý-period sites in general and Dạm Pagoda site in particular, in terms of architecture, arts and archaeology through the analyses of the current status of Dạm Pagoda site that has been completely excavated and the comparison with other Lý-period pagodas and towers already excavated; at the same time, the thesis gives interpretations of the current status, the characteristics, the patterns, the functions and composition of the Lý-period sites. 2 - The thesis provides new and more sufficient information of Dạm Pagoda than ever. - The thesis contributes a scientific database to the tasks of conservation and valorization of the values of Dạm Pagoda site in particular and the Lý-period sites in general. 6. Practical and theoretical significance of the thesis - Based on the comparison of the characteristics of the sites, their artifacts, the old annals, epitaphs, folkloric legends, etc., it is possible to identify that the unearthed architectural vestiges were from the Lý period. The site was reconstructed and repaired in the Trần, Lê and Nguyễn periods. This site has great historical and cultural values. - The unearthed relics let us know traces of an old royal pagoda/tower from the Lý period with an unusual plane, scale and composition, the most elaborate and sophisticated building techniques as compared to other pagodas known in Việt Nam. - Although the artifacts of Dạm Pagoda are basically missing, those collected from the excavation are fairly abundant. The architectural materials demonstrate the characteristics of the materials and decorative art of Dạm pagoda from different periods; the ceramics/porcelain indicate the long history of the site from the Lý, Trần periods to date. - All the artifacts found from Dạm Pagoda demonstrate the first-class royal identity of Dạm Pagoda in the system of the Lý-period pagodas and towers in Bắc Ninh. In addition, they also provide the highly accurate source of data for the research, the conservation, the reconstruction and the valorization of the site values. - The results from the excavation on the whole area of Dạm Pagoda site provide many important scientific data for the research into the system of the Lý-period pagodas and towers in Bắc Ninh in particular and in Northern Việt Nam in general, and also supplement more data to the construction design of Dạm Pagoda (new). 7. Thesis structure Apart from the sections of opening, conclusion, references and Appendixes, the thesis contents are divided into 4 chapters: - Chapter 1: Overview of the research state of the thesis. 3 - Chapter 2: Architectural relics and datings. - Chapter 3: Artifacts and datings. - Chapter 4: Dạm Pagoda site in the system of the Lý-period pagodas. Chapter 1 OVEVIEW OF THE RESEARCH STATE 1.1. Geographical - cultural location 1.1.1. Geographical location and landscape environment Bắc Ninh is located in the central Hồng-river delta, at East 105054’06’’ 0 ’ ’’ 106 18 50 latitude and North 20058’30’’ - 210016’00’’ longitude; the north is adjacent to Bắc Giang province, the East is adjacent to Hải Dương province, the south is adjacent to Hưng Yên province and the West is adjacent to Hà Nội City. Dạm Pagoda is located on the southern side of the Dạm Mountain that stands out of the fields, ponds, river and bank as an extremely beautiful natural picture. In bird's-eye-view, the whole Dạm mountain looks like a charming watercolour painting, with a vast rice field extending to the Northen bank of the Đuống river. The old Đuống river looks like a soft silk ribbon meanderingly surrounding a rich, lush plain all over the year. The villages lying round its foot are called “Dạm villages” including Triều Thôn, Sơn Trung, Thái Bảo, Sơn Đông, Sơn Nam, Đa Cấu, Tự Thôn, Môn Tự and Đông Dương ones. The beauty of Dạm pagoda is traditionally mentioned in the bibliography. The book An Nam chí nguyên (安南志原)written by Cao Hùng Trưng (高熊徵)refers to the Dạm Mountain: “a rugged, towering mountain that can be climbed to the top to look far away. In the mountain, there is Thần Quang pagoda overlooking to Thiên Đức river, with lush green cypress that is pleasant to the eyes”. The book Lịch triều hiến chương loại chí (歷朝憲章類誌) written by Phan Huy Chú refers to the Dạm Mountain: “Lãm Sơn Mountain in Quế Dương district includes 16 villages, with many old pagodas, and the river-lake landscapes that look gloomy and still. On the mountain, there is a place where the monk Không Lộ led a religious life, whose traces remain”. In the Nguyễn period, the book Bắc Ninh toàn tỉnh dư địa chí (Monography of Bắc Ninh) refers to Dạm Pagoda: “A stream runs round the mountain. The plants and trees are luxuriant, the whole area look like a 4 painting. This area was very famous in the past because of its landscapes and poetry”. 1.1.2. Cultural and historical characteristics 1.1.2.1. Names and boundaries of Bắc Ninh province in the history In the history of national construction and development, Bắc Ninh province has changed many times in its names, boundaries and administrative units. Based on the historical sources and chronography, the changes can be seen as follows: In the Hùng King and An Dương King, it was called bộ Vũ Ninh of Văn Lang - Âu Lạc state, and the Imperial city of the Âu Lạc state was Cổ Loa Imperial City (Đông Anh district, Hà Nội city). It belonged to Giao Chỉ district n the Han period, to Jiao Zhou district in the Wu period, to Jiaozhi district in the Tan period. In the early Tang period, Bắc Ninh was merged to Giao Châu, Đạo Châu, Long Châu, which first belonged to Jiaozhou province, and then An Nam province. In the Lý period, the area that is now located in Bắc Ninh province belonged to the 2 administrative units (Phủ) of Lộ Bắc Giang: Phủ Thiên Đức and Phủ Siêu Loại. In the Trần and Hồ periods, Bắc Ninh belonged to Lộ Bắc Giang. It belonged to phủ Bắc Giang in the Ming period, to Bắc Đạo in the Lê period. In the first Thuận Thiên year (1428), Lê Thánh Tông changed it into đạo Bắc Giang. From the seventh Quang Thuận year (1466) to 1469 it was changed into Kinh Bắc. In the 21st Hồng Đức year (1490), it was changed into xứ Kinh Bắc. In the Gia Long period (1802 - 1840), it was changed into trấn Bắc Ninh (1822) and then Bắc Ninh province (1831). In the French Colonial period, on 10 November 1895, the colonial government divided it into two provinces of Bắc Ninh and Bắc Giang. Bắc Ninh province included the administrative units to the south of Cầu river. The administrative units to the north of Cầu river belonged to Bắc Giang province. On the 1 April 1963, Bắc Ninh and Bắc Giang provinces were merged into Hà Bắc province. The administrative units of Bắc Ninh province when it was merged into Hà Bắc province consisted of Bắc Ninh town, and the districts of Yên Phong, Thuận Thành, Tiên Sơn, Quế Võ, and Gia Lương. On the 6 November 1996, the 10th session of the ninth National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam, decided divide Hà Bắc province into two provinces of Bắc Ninh and Bắc Giang. 5 1.1.2.2. History of the lands and population Bắc Ninh is the area with the thick cultural breadth. It is located in the centre of Hồng-river delta, and thus it became a settlement hub of Vietnamese population very early, which was considered a "cradle of the ancient Vietnamese inhabitants". In the second and third centuries, Luy Lâu citadel was built, where Jiao Zhou capital was located and became the greatest political, economic and cultural centre in the country and the region. Bắc Ninh was the homeland of Buddhism in Việt Nam. It is also the first site for Sinology to spread in Việt Nam. In addition, it was the native land of the Lý dynasty, etc. In the Đại Việt period, Bắc Ninh - Kinh Bắc was the significant vicinity of Thăng Long - Đông Đô area, which played a special role in the appearance of the Lý dynasty and the Đại Việt civilization as well as in the cause of national defense and cultural development. Located in the early centre of ancient Vietnamese population, the political, economic, cultural centre, which served as one of the "four guarding towns", Bắc Ninh formed and transmitted its own cultural nature, the Kinh Bắc culture. 1.2. Data and problems 1.2.1. Dạm Pagoda in the old historical annals According to the statistics, there are not many old literatures referring to Dạm pagoda, but the association of all the related events enable us to identify its names and dates of construction and reconstructions. The literatures with the records of Dạm pagoda include: Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư, Việt Sử lược, Khâm định Việt sử thông giám cương mục, Đại Nam nhất thống chí, and the epitaph: Đại Lãm Thần Quang tự bi ký. Based on the remaining traces on the site, the literatures and the epitaphs, “Đại Lãm Thần Quang tự” possibly means Thần Quang pagoda on Đại Lãm mountain. Therefore, it can be understood that in 1086, the King Lý Nhân Tông allowed to build Lãm Sơn pagoda on Đại Lãm mountain; the pagoda was named Cảnh Long Đồng Khánh when it was inaugurated in 1094. In the period of the King Trần Nhân Tông, the time when the poem “Đại Lãm Thần Quang tự” appeared, the pagoda was named Thần Quang, which has been called to date. The scale and architecture of the Dạm pagoda have not been referred in any documents; all what mentioned is that 3 stone towers existed 6 there. One of the 3 towers in Dạm pagoda was built for even 5 - 6 years before its inauguration: in 1088 “In winter in October, a tower was built at Lãm Sơn”; in 1094 “In summer in April, the tower in Lãm Sơn pagoda was completely built”. The pagoda built on Lãm Sơn mountain was named “Cảnh Long Đồng Khánh” by the King. It took 8 years (1086 - 1094) to complete building the pagoda and 11 years later, it was improved (1105) to be mightier and more beautiful with three stone towers. Dạm Pagoda (Cảnh Long Đồng Khánh) was a great Buddhist centre from the Lý to the Trần period, and it is still a Đại Danh Lam (a great famous pagoda). Its name was Thần Quang when the King Trần Nhân Tông (1258 1308) visited the pagoda. The folkloric names such as Bà Tấm pagoda, Cao pagoda, Trăm Gian pagoda, Dạm pagoda are the other names of Thần Quang pagoda built in the Lý period (1086) with the remaining traces to date. 1.2.2. Archaeological test- excavation in 2009 For the investment and restoration of Dạm Pagoda site and the scientific research for conservation and reconstruction of the site, the Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism signed the Decision No. 4571/QĐ-BVHTTDL on 10 December 2009 allowing the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bắc Ninh province to conduct an explorative excavation in the 20m2 area of Tam Bảo - Dạm pagoda (the third foundation level). In this excavation, no architectural traces of the pagoda built in 1086 was found due to the small test-pit, but the later architectural vestiges were unearthed. However, the abundant artifacts with sufficient types from the building and decorative materials to utensils and cultic items from the Lý to the Lê period demonstrate that this pagoda was large-scaled and important in all the historical periods. 1.2.3. Research into Dạm pagoda The research into Dạm pagoda is divided into two stages: Before the archaeological excavation (before 2009) and after the excavation (since 2009). In the first stage, the research is mainly based on the historical records of Dạm pagoda and the evidence of its remaining vestiges. Apart from some papers referring to Dạm pagoda as a national pagoda from the Lý period, the 7 researchers concentrate on its functions and decode the symbolism of the stone pillar in the pagoda. Regarding the symbolism of the stone pillar, there are two main theories: It was a linga in fact and it was a ruin of an architectural construction. The stone pillar of Dạm pagoda is an essential artifact for the research into Dạm pagoda; in addition, it is valuable for the research into the Fine-Arts ideology of Lý-period Buddhism. However, the stone pillar is just a small part of the overall architecture of this great famouns pagoda. Some other problems such as the overall architectural plane of the pagoda in particular and the architectural plane of the Lý-period pagodas and towers in general have not been clarified. This needs the results from a large - scaled archaeological excavation at this site. In the second stage, an extensive excavation was conducted in the area of 6,000m2 of Dạm pagoda site. As a result, the overall plane of the site was unearthed with 4 levels of foundation, from which the position and the monumental architectural scale of the site have been identified. In addition, a complete architectural plane from the Lý-Trần period found in the excavation with many types of architectural materials and ceramics/ porcelain, etc., provide enough valuable data for the research into the pagodas and towers from the LýTrần period, let alone the emphasis that this is the only Lý-period pagoda excavated on the whole architectural plane up to now. This has been probably the most comprehensive research into the overall plane of Dạm pagoda in particular and of the Lý-period pagodas towers in general so far. 1.3. Chapter 1 in brief In the Chapter 1, the candidate generalizes the common issues of geographical location, the natural environment, and the history of the lands and population in Bắc Ninh in the national historical development. He also generalizes the research situation of the thesis and has initially clarified the history, the role and location of the pagoda through the research results collected from the old annals, the field-work investigations and the excavations. From the research and investigation of the whole site and its landscapes, it is possible to see that the area of Dạm pagoda remain fairly intact. The remaining architectural plane with the four foundation levels higher 8 up according to the mountain cliff, which have remained intact since its construction. Apart from the stone terraces remaining to date, the background traces of the relics related to the pagoda are fairly clear such as the canals Con Tên, Thùng Thối, Đền Vua, Bãi Hội, etc., forming an overall area of the uninterrupted sites from Thiên Đức river to Đại Lãm mountain, including Dạm pagoda that played a central role. Chapter 2 ARCHITECTUAL RELICS AND DATES 2.1. Dạm pagoda from the traces on the site After being scorched-earth resistance, Dạm pagoda was rebuilt by the locals on the old foundation, which had been a small pagoda hidden under the trees on the mountain cliff. The current plane demonstrates that from the hill foot upwards, the pagoda was built on the four various architectural levels based on the mountain height. Each level was built with erect rock-blocks that are fairly stable. In the overall landscape background, there are other mountains, with various names of "the four supernatural creatures". The Rùa (Tortoise) mountain that is near the Con Tên canal to the west; the Phượng (Phoenix) mountain to the northwest; the Long (Dragon) mountain including Dạm and Hàm Long pagodas; and the Ly (Unicorn) mountain to the northeast, near Thái Bảo hamlet. These sites have late dates, with Confucian images. Nowadays, in the site area, there are material remains demonstrating a monumental scale and a sophisticated sculptural art of the great famous pagoda from the Lý period. However, in the hustle tempo of life and a quick urbanization, the landscape of Dạm pagoda has also been changed. The fieldwork reveals that traces of the architectural monuments appeared on all the four foundation levels from the Lý period to the recent years. The outstanding features of which are the system of the four strong foundation levels built with rocks, the sandstone pillar with dragon inscriptions from the Lý period, and the bases of the Lý-period tower pedestal with “wave” designs make it possible to identify the material traces of an ancient pagoda built in the Lý dynasty, with the scale as large as “Great famous pagoda”. 9 2.2. Common strata, overall plane with 4 foundation levels from the Lý period 2.2.1. Common strata - Top layer: is reddish brown hill soil mixed with laterite grits, broken bricks, tiles and stones, which is 15cm – 180cm average thick. - Cultural layer: includes many artifacts, which are mainly architectural materials from the Lý, Trần, Lê, and Nguyễn periods; it is 30cm – 150cm average thick, with traces of Lý-period foundation. - Sterile layer: Bedrocks. 2.2.2. Overall plane with 4 foundation levels From the bottom up, the foundation levels appeared with their architectural traces as follows: 2.2.2.1. Level 1 Two lobbies appeared to the East and West with the same axis as the Lý-period architectures unearthed from the foundation levels 2, 3 and 4; the architecture consisted of 5 compartments. In the centre of the foundation level 1, there are two pillar bases, four holes for supporting the double pillars, and 10 holes for strengthening single pillars (now only 6 of which remain). In this area, there is a stone banister with dragon inscription facing the internal architecture (to North). The middle of the way to the centre was built with rocks, and the two sides were bordered slopingly by rocks, which are 12.10m long, 3.80m wide. Between the Eastern and Western lobbies, the foundation level 1 includes 2 ways to the level 2. These two ways remain with the sixth to sixteenth stone steps; in front of the terrace, there is a foundation built with square and long bricks, some of which are decorated with designs of daisies. The first, seventh and tenth steps all have two chiselled holes each at its east and west sides. 2.2.2.2. Level 2 There is a tower base from the Lý period, with wave designs, and a stone pillar with dragon inscription. There are traces of the two architectural monuments in North - South direction appearing to the East and West, on the same axis as the Lý-period architecture appearing to the East - West of the third and fourth levels. There is a lobby linking the North and the South of the architecture, which includes 4 compartments. 10 The Eastern and Western architectures of the level 2 include 2 ways up to the level 3 that is 11.10m long (North - South); 2.33m wide at the bottom and 2.33 - 2.39m wide on the top (East - West). These two ways have remained with the fifth to twelveth stone steps. In front of the two ways to the south, there are foundations built with thin bricks. The stone pillar with dragon inscription from the Lý period: the strengthening phenomenon of this pillar is similar to the hole for pillar pedestal of the architecture. Therefore, the stone pillar in Dạm Pagoda was built right on its original position. The tower base from the Lý period: reveals that the tower consisted of a gate facing East to the stone pillar with dragon inscription. The gate lies in the middle of the eastern side of the tower. The internal tower was filled with laterite mixed with gravels, broken bricks and tiles. The tower base is 8.46 8.49m wide (East - West), and 8.46m long (North - South). It was covered with the rows of bricks including mountain designs; 5 of the rows have remained. There are 2 important vestiges, which are the stone pillar with dragon inscription to the East and the square pillar pedestal to the West. These vestiges are well-proportioned and aligned on the East - West axis, which are closely associated with each other on the overall site area. Of which, the two dragons on the stone pillar look the tower, whereas the tower gate faces the stone pillar. The Bống well from the Lý period: was dug deeply to the bedrocks, with the depth of about 3.0m to 5.0m. At present, the well has been filled with soil and stones and it has changed a lot. The well wall were built with rocks that are the same as those used for the 4 levels and the bedrocks from the Dạm pagoda site area. 2.2.2.3. Level 3 The Eastern and Western lobbies: the traces of the two architectures in North - South direction appeared to the East and the West, on the same axis as the other Lý-period architectures found on the levels 1, 2 and 4. There are 26 holes for strengthening pillar bases appearing in the Eastern architectures, 06 stone pillar pedestals with lotus designs on the Eastern patio area, 03 stone pillar pedestals with lotus designs in the Northern compartment. On the other hand, there are 27 holes for strengthening pillar basesto the West, 02 Còn kiến trúc phía Tây xuất lộ 27 hố gia cố chân tảng, 02 stone pillar pedestals with lotus 11 designs on the Northern patio, 02 stone pillar pedestals with lotus designs in the main compartment. There are 2 sewers lying to the West of the lobbies. The central architecture: In the centre of the level 3, there are traces of the foundation and gate of a tower. The tower faces south to East with 150 deviation. The scale of the tower on the lowest level is 7.90 x 7.90m; the Southern gate is 1.60m wide. The remaining Eastern foundation base is 1.40m long, and 70cm wide; The remaining Western foundation base is 5.20m long, and 78cm wide. There are two ways to the tower, the first way to the East is 1.60m, the second way to the West is 1.27m. the tower base is 17.30m to the Eastern architecture and 17m to the Western architecture. Therefore, the tower is located nearly in between the two architectures on the level 3 and also in the centre of the main compartment of the central architecture on the level 4. The architectural traces from the Nguyễn period: faces south to East 0 with 15 deviation, with the area of about 400m2 (19m (East - West) x 21m North - South), including 5 compartments. The three middle compartments are 2.70m wide (East - West); 1.38m (North - South). The other two compartments are 2.58m wide (East - West). 2.2.2.4. Level 4 The Lý-period architectural traces include foundation borders, yard foundation, holes for strengthening pillar bases, etc. Those types formed interconnected system of the Lý period architectural plane that consists of a main architecture in the center with 05 compartments, and 02 lean-toes; to the North of the main architecture, there is a gate leading to the main compartment, and two banisters with dragon inscriptions at both sides. The dragon images on the banisters are typical Lý-period ones, with small, sleek, meandering bodies, and 5-craw feet. The dragon head looks South (to the central compartment of the architecture). In addition, there are two smaller architectures connected with the central ones to the East and West. The Nguyễn-period architectural traces: in the area of about 71.28m2 (about 8.80m (East - West) x 8.10m (North - South)). The Nguyễn-period architecture is nearly in the same direction with the Lý-period one. 2.3. Stone border, pillar holes and holes for supporting the pillar bases from the Lý period. 2.3.1. Lý period stone borders 12 2.3.1.1. Stone borders of the foundation level 1: The stone border was built in three terraces. The first terrace is 2.72m high; the second terrace is 2.29m high, the third terrace is on the foundation that is 2.15m high. The foot of the stone border is slightly flared forming a 700 angle, which makes the entire border more stable. 2.3.1.2. Stone border of the foundation level 2: The stone border was built in three terraces. The first terrace is 1.95m, the second terrace is 1.64m, about 1.20m narrower than the first one, the third terrace is 2.94m high, about 1.60m narrower than the second one. The foot of the stone border is slightly flared as the first terrace. 2.3.1.3. Stone border of the foundation level 3: The stone border was built in three terraces. The first terrace is 1.63m high, the second terrace is 2.50m high, about 1.20m narrower than the first one, the third terrace is 1.28m high, about 1.20m narrower than the second one. The foot of the stone border is slightly flared as the others. 2.3.1.4. Stone border of the foundation level 4: The stone border was built in three terraces. The first terrace is 2.30m high, the second terrace is 2.40m high, about 1.20m narrower than the first one, the third terrace is 4.15m high, about 1.40m narrower than the second one. The foot of the stone border is slightly flared as the others. 2.3.2. Holes for strengthening pillar bases: There are 158 holes distributed on 3 foundation levels 2 (2 holes), 3 (15 holes), and 4 (141 holes). 2.3.3. Holes for strengthening bases: there are obvious 218 holes for strengthening bases, in the total 254 holes on the four levels (39/50, 53/76, 60/76, and 66/68 holes found on the level 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively). 2.4. Chapter 2 in brief From the bottom up, the unearthed foundation levels are: Level 1: 2 Lý-period lobbies were unearthed to the East and West. There are 5 beams, each of which includes 1 row. The main road and the two sides were built with rocks. The rocks of the two sides were sloppily arranged. Level 2: there is a tower base with mountain inscription from the Lý period and a pillar with dragon inscription. Traces of two architectures appeared to the East and the West, running North - South. 13 Bống well: was dug to the bedrock. The wall was built with rocks. Level 3: Traces of two Lý-period architectures appeared to the East and the West, running North - South. In the central architecture, a tower base and gate were found on the foundation level 3. There are traces of a Nguyễn-period architecture facing south 150 to east, with 5 compartments in the area of 400m2. Level 4: there is a system of interconnecting architectures from the Lý period, including a main architecture in the centre with 5 compartments and 2 lean-tos, and the other two smaller architectures connected with the central one to the East and West. The Nguyễn-period architecture: in the area of about 71.28m2. Its direction is nearly the same as the Lý-period one. Chapter 3 ARTIFACTS AND DATES The artifacts of Dạm pagoda were found from the two sources: First, the remaining open-air ruins: stone pillars, tower bases, stone borders, pedestals with lotus inscription (Lý period), stone stelea (Lê period) and so on; Second, the artifacts underground, which were found from the excavation: decorative and architectural materials, utensils, etc. uninterruptedly existing from the Lý period (the eleventh century) to Nguyễn period (the twentieth century). The system of the artifacts serves as the most exact sources of data demonstrating the status and occurrences of the site through the different historical periods. 3.1. Remaining outdoor artifacts 3.1.1 Stone stelea Within the present area of the pagoda, there are 2 stone stelea, one of which is on a tortoise on the tower base of the foundation level 2, and the other is now kept in a temporary pagoda od the level 3. First stele: includes inscribed characters on both sides, but they are very blurred and unreadable; the only remaining 2 characters on the back are “信... 施”, which must be the names of those who had merit for building and restoring the pagoda. Second stele: (one-sided). It includes the characters “大 覧 神 光 寺 新 造 護 法” (It records the process of making the colossal statues guarding the main gate of Đại Lãm Thần Quang pagoda). 14 In the content, Đại Lãm Thần Quang pagoda used to be an old sightseeing landscape, but without the 2 statues of colossal guards. On a good day of December at that time, a young monk responsible for the pagoda and other members spent their money to build 2 colossal statues guarding the main gate, and a stele with the inscription was set up on the occasion of the completion of the statues for the posterity. The stele was built on a good day of September, the 17th Chính Hòa year (1696). 3.1.2. Pillar bases There are total 86 pedestal bases distributed on the 4 foundation levels (level 1: 13 bases; level 2: 16 bases; level 3: 45 bases; level 4: 12 bases). 3.1.3. Stone pillar The stone pillar is considered the most imposing and the most perfect sculptured artifact in the history of Vietnamese Fine Arts, and it was recognized as a national treasure in 2017. At present, it stands on the second foundation level to the east of the pagoda and it includes two parts: the pillar and the pedestal. 3.1.4. Foundation of the tower base Overall, the tower base is still fairly intact. It is 8.46 - 8.49m wide in Eat West, 8.46m wide in North - South. The rocks around the tower base are all sandstones, greyish brown or pinkish brown, with overlapping wave designs. 3.2. Artifacts found from the archaeological excavation 3.2.1. Architectural materials They include the artifacts from the eleventh century to the eighteenth nineteenth centuries, such as bricks, tiles, models of terra-cotta towers, brick eaves, phoenix heads, etc. 3.2.2. Glazed ceramics They include bowls, plates, basins, cups, jars, incense burner, etc., which are classified on the basis of their dates. However, we could not be based on their functions to classify as the utensils and cultic artifacts are only generalizable, many ò which ca be used for both daily activities and worshipping, such as bowls, plates, cups, lamps, etc., can sometimes be used as utensils and sometimes used as cultic items. 3.2.3. Fine stoneware 15 They include pots, basins, jars, vases, etc., which are from the Lý period (the eleventh century) to the Nguyễn period (the nineteenth century). 3.3. Chapter 3 in brief - Artifacts: The found artifacts are fairly rich and diversified, including broken building materials, artifacts for architectural decoration, utensils, which are terra-cotta, tiles, bricks, ceramics glazed ceramics, fine stoneware, metals and stones, and we have chosen some of which as typical samples for detailed description. They are form the L , Trần, Early Lê, Lê Trung Hưng, Ngu ễn periods, etc. - Dates: Dạm pagoda site consists of various items of architectural works, their dates from every excavated location, level are basically homogeneous in materials such as stone (pedestal bases and decoration); terracotta (architectural decoration); building material (bricks, tiles), etc. Through the research, the collection of the artifacts are from the L period to premodern time, equivalent to time of the construction and existence of the pagoda. Of which, the L -period artifacts are dominant, with the architectural materials accounting for 66.47%; apart from them, there are some glazed Chinese ceramics from the eighth to twentieth century. Chapter 4 DẠM PAGADA SITE IN THE SYSTEM OF LÝ-PERIOD PAGODAS 4.1. System of pagodas, towers from the Lý period In the Lý period, many monuments were built all over the countries, in which the most remarkable ones are pagodas, towers, royal palaces, pagodas concurrently functioning as royal palaces. So far, there have been many archaeological excavations at the Lý-period pagoda sites as follows: 4.1.1. Ngô Xá Mountain site This site was first test-excavated in 1965. From December 1966 to March 1967, an archaeological team (the precursor of today's Việt Nam Institute of Archaeology) conducted an excavation on the whole area of 1,036m2, the relics from the Lý period were found. 4.1.2. Tường Long Tower site The site was excavated three times in 1978, 1998 and 2009 by do Việt Nam Institute of Archaeology in cooperation with the relevant organizations. 16 As a result, it is possible to identify that the foundation ruins of the pagoda and the towers were built with bricks from the Lý period. 4.1.3. Lạng Pagoda site It was excavated in 1972 and 1973 by Việt Nam Institute of Archaeology, and 6 architectural layers were found, including the first layer with the nearly square plane from the Lý period, around 1115. 4.1.4. Cầu Từ temple site In 2006, 2007 and 2009, Việt Nam Institute of Archaeology in cooperation with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bắc Giang province conducted an excavation at this site and found many architectural materials and utensils from the Lý and Trần periods. Especially, some found architectural foundations are identified those from the Lý period in the twelfth century. 4.1.5. Cao Pagoda site Cao pagoda (Hưng Phúc pagoda) should be distinguished from Thấp pagoda (Khám Lạng pagoda), because Cao pagoda is located on the top of "Đồi pagoda", whereas Thấp pagoda lies near Bến village, at the hill foot 500m from Cao pagoda to South East. Cao pagoda belongs to Hòa Nội hamlet, Nồi village, Khám Lạng commune, Lục Nam district, Bắc Giang province. The site was investigated, surveyed and excavated in 1989, 1997, 1999 and 2013. 4.1.6. Phật Tích Pagoda site In late 2008, early 2009, during the reconstruction of Phật Tích pagoda, the vestiges of the tower foundation built with bricks from the Lý period. The foundation plan consists of 4 walls in East - West - South - North directions, in which the south direction is straight toward the “main road” including the stone steps leading to the pagoda. The walls are curved at the four corners as eaves, which were built with bricks including the inscribed characters meaning “Lý gia đệ tam đế Long Thụy Thái Bình tứ niên tạo” ((It was) built in in the fourth Long Thụy Thái Bình year by the third King) (in 1057), and none of the bricks with other datings. 4.1.7. Linh Xứng Pagoda site From October 2009 to November 2009, Việt Nam Institute of Archaeology in cooperation with the Department of Culture, Sports and 17 Tourism of Thanh Hóa province conducted an excavation at Linh Xứng pagoda built by Thái ú L Thường Kiệt in 1126 on Ngưỡng Sơn pagoda. 4.1.8. Long Đọi Sơn Pagoda site In 2001, the Museum of Vietnamese History (the National Museum of History today) conducted the first excavation at this site to identify the location, scale and vestiges related to the Lý-period tower Sùng Thiện Diên Linh that was written on the stelea. 4.1.9. Bà Tấm Pagoda site In 2005 the Museum of Vietnamese History conducted an investigation, test-excavation and formal excavation at the site group of Bà Tấm temple - pagoda. In 2013, it was continued to be excavated the second time on the area of 67.8m2 at the centre of the pagoda. 4.1.10. Overview of Lý-period architecture in Thăng Long In the site area, a complex of abundant and diversified wooden architectural foundations from the Lý period lying along North - South or East West, which were built on a large scale sustainably. Although they were built on such a large scale, the entire architectural space is highly consistent in azimuth; it always lies parallel or coincides with grid azimuth of Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, exactly North slanting 40 or 50 to East. This new result led to a very important comment that, the Lý-period architectural monuments were planned methodically in norms before the construction. This is one of the most important scientific achievements of the Lý dynasty in the planning the construction of Thăng Long Imperial Citadel. 4.2. Values of architecture, artifacts of Dạm pagoda 4.2.1. Architectural values Based on the comparison of the characteristics of the site, artifacts, old annals, stele inscriptions, legends, etc., it is possible to identify the unearthed vestiges as the Lý-period ones. The site was reconstructed and restored in the Trần, Lê and Nguyễn periods. This is a great site with historical - cultural values. 4.2.1.1. Stone pillars with dragon inscriptions Based on the research through the excavations at the site area, the candidate supposes the stone pillar of Dạm pagoda is a single unit, a ruin of the remaining architecture. In the excavation , part of the pillar base revealed a hole 18