The Đông Sơn Bronze Drum, dating back approximately 2,000-2,300 years and weighing 7.6 kg, was discovered by fishermen in Đồng Tháp while they were fishing in the Hậu River.
On July 7, Mr. Nguyễn Minh Phước, Director of the Đồng Tháp Museum, announced that the Scientific Council of the Đồng Tháp Museum has assessed the historical and economic value of the bronze drum handed over by the residents of Lai Vung District.
The individual who found the bronze drum is Mr. Đặng Văn Trác, 32 years old, from Vĩnh Thới Commune, Lai Vung District. This fisherman discovered the bronze drum while net fishing on the Hậu River (the section from Tân Thành to Vĩnh Thới, Lai Vung District). He later handed over the artifact to the authorities.
Mr. Nguyễn Minh Phước, Director of the Đồng Tháp Museum, introduces the Đông Sơn bronze drum handed over by Mr. Trác.
On June 29, the Đồng Tháp Museum established a Scientific Council consisting of 9 members, including antique collectors and researchers specializing in history and artifacts, to evaluate the metal drum handed over by Mr. Trác.
The evaluation results indicated that the discovered drum is an Đông Sơn bronze drum, specifically Heger 1 type, dating back approximately 2,000-2,300 years (from the 3rd century to around the 1st century BC). The drum weighs 7.6 kg and has a diameter of 63 cm.
Mr. Đặng Văn Trác found the bronze drum while fishing on the river. (Photo: CTV).
Image of a 12-pointed star and 6 birds flying counterclockwise on the drum’s surface.
The decorative features on the drum include a 12-pointed star and 6 birds flying counterclockwise, interspersed with clear engraved patterns and concentric circles.
Regarding economic value, the Council estimates the drum is worth approximately 200 million VND.
The Đồng Tháp Museum proposed that the leadership of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Đồng Tháp Province award Mr. Trác 14 million VND (equivalent to 7% of the drum’s value); at the same time, they suggested that the People’s Committee of Đồng Tháp Province grant him a certificate of merit.
According to Mr. Phước, the museum will soon display the recently discovered bronze drum along with 26 other culturally significant artifacts in the museum’s open storage for the public to view.
