VietNamNet Bridge – A farmer in the northwestern province of Dien Bien accidentally unearthed an age-old bronze drum while ploughing his fields.


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The age-old drum found in Dien Bien is examined. (Photo: VNA)

 

 

The finding came when Lo Van Viet’s pickaxe hit a metal block, causing a resounding noise. He brought the object home and handed it over to local authorities the next day.

The block turned out to be a Heger type III bronze drum in accordance with the 1902 typology of Austrian scholar Franze Heger. It is the first time this drum type has been discovered in Dien Bien.

 

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Carving patterns on the drumhead. (Photo: VNA)

 

It is 20 kilogrammes in weight and 50 centimetres in length. The drumhead is round, while the bottom is oval.

The drum was placed in the provincial museum for further research.

 

VNA