A bronze drum has been unearthed near the Ho Dynasty Citadel, a UNESCO world heritage site in the central province of Thanh Hoa.
The drum is thought to belong to Heger Type 1,
produced by the Dong Son Culture roughly 2,000 to 2,500 years ago
The ancient artefact was found on September 25 when a local resident named Trinh Van Loan was digging the foundation for his house.
The site where the bronze drum was found is located in Cau Mu village, Vinh Long commune, Vinh Loc district, about one kilometre to the southeast of the stone citadel.
The drum, which measures 59 centimetres in diameter and 43 centimetres in height, was partly damaged on its bottom and legs due to oxidisation.
The drum’s top is decorated with twelve-pointed stars in relief and is thought to belong a group of drums known as Heger Type 1, produced by the Dong Son Culture roughly 2,000 to 2,500 years ago.
A 40-centimetre-long iron sword blade was also found next to the drum.
As soon as he discovered the objects, Loan reported them to the local authorities and competent agencies.
The bronze drum will be handed over to the Ho Dynasty Citadel Conservation Centre for further research into its origin and value.