Cao Bang: Recent archaeological findings at Ban Phu Citadel, Na Lu Citadel, and Ban Thanh hamlet in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang were released on December 26.

To shed new light on historical issues in Cao Bang, the Institute of Archaeology under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences recently coordinated with the Cao Bang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to conduct excavations of Ban Phu Citadel (Hung Dao commune, Cao Bang city), Na Lu Citadel (Hoang Tung commune, Hoa An district), and Ban Thanh hamlet (Hung Dao commune, Hoa An district).

According to historical records, Ban Phu Citadel was where three kings of the Mac Dynasty (1527 – 1592), namely Mac Kinh Cung, Mac Kinh Khoan, and Mac Kinh Vu, granted audiences.

Excavating a 150 sq.m area in the south of this citadel, archaeologists found a number of pottery and porcelain pieces dating back to the Ly Dynasty (1009 – 1225), the Tran Dynasty (1225 – 1400), the Le So (1428 – 1527) Dynasty, and the Mac Dynasty, with most of the obje
cts belonging to the Mac Dynasty. Besides, the majority of pottery items from China discovered there date back to the Ming Dynasty in the 17th century.

Basing on the findings, scientists perceived that Ban Phu Citadel was built in around the 17th century, the same time the Mac clan retreated to Cao Bang after they had been defeated in Thang Long capital, now Hanoi.

Meanwhile, Na Lu is one of the four most important ancient citadels in Cao Bang. It was built at an order by Gao Pian, a general of the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907), when Vietnam was under the rule of this Chinese dynasty. In the 11th century, Nung Ton Phuc, a ruler of the Quang Nguyen region (now Cao Bang), continued upgrading the facility. In 1589, the Mac clan retreated to Cao Bang and chose Na Lu Citadel as its base, according to legend and historical records.

At Na Lu, archaeologists dug a total area of 220 sp.m., discovering vestiges of a citadel gate and a wide range of objects from bricks, tiles to pottery and metal items dating back to diff
erent historical periods like the Tang and Ming dynasties of China, and the Tran, Le Son, and Mac dynasties of Vietnam.

At the archaeological site in Ban Thanh hamlet, they excavated 50 sq.m. in the ‘Guoc da Ban Thanh’ area, which was once believed to be linked with the legend of ‘nine lords competing for the throne’ in the third century BC.

However, experts found that stone structures at Ban Thanh used materials, including limestone, pebble, brick, and wooden stake dating back to the 17th century, along with pottery items of the Ming Dynasty. They held that this could be a stone bridge over a stream constructed during the Mac Dynasty.

Researchers noted that due to limited conditions, archaeological studies were carried out on just a small scale, so they are still unable to make precise conclusions on the history in Cao Bang. In addition, the relic sites are being damaged, and local authorities should take actions early to protect them./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency

Cambodia Teqball National Championships 2023 are committed to further strengthening the sport, bringing it to a new height.

The note was highlighted by H.E. Vath Chamroeun, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports and Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), in the opening ceremony of the games here in Phnom Penh on Dec. 25.

H.E. Vath Chamroeun, who is also President of the Cambodia Teqball Federation, said the Cambodia Teqball National Championships 2023 aim to respond to national policy to develop the potential of sports in Cambodia.

This is the first time for Cambodia to organise with strong support from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), emphasised the secretary of state.

He called for all sports clubs and associations to expand their membership and attract more Cambodian youth to play the sport in order to contribute to developing it in the country.

The two-day tournament attracts the participation of 37 athletes, 12 of whom are female, from
nine clubs and associations in Cambodia.

There are five disciplines, including two men-women single races, two men-women pair races, and one mixed pair race.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse