On March 27, Dr. Dinh Ba Hoa, Deputy Director of the Binh Dinh Provincial Museum, reported that during efforts to clear vegetation to prevent deterioration of the Binh Lam Tower (Phuoc Hoa Commune, Tuy Phuoc District), museum staff discovered four pairs of lion reliefs carved on the tower’s body.
The Binh Lam Tower is regarded as a representative architecture of the transition style from My Son A1 to the early 11th-century Binh Dinh style. The discovery of the four pairs of lion reliefs around the first tier of the Binh Lam Tower further confirms the accuracy of this dating.
Another interesting aspect is that the four pairs of reliefs are carved in four different and dynamic postures. Two pairs are depicted stepping forward, looking in one direction, with their tails arched upwards; the other two pairs are also stepping forward but with their heads turned back, baring their teeth fiercely. The inner part of their tails is slightly curved up, while the ends droop down.
These lion reliefs are the most intact and beautiful carvings remaining on the Cham architecture found in Binh Dinh.
