This animal statue was discovered at the archaeological site of Dốc Chùa in Bình Dương Province and is the only artifact of its kind found in nearly 2,000 years.
Specifically, the bronze animal statue resembles a dog and was found at the Dốc Chùa archaeological site in Tân Mỹ Commune, Tân Uyên District, Bình Dương Province, dating back over 3,000 years. The statue was discovered in an ancient burial site near where ancient people lived, believed to be a grave good buried with the deceased.
In the past 2,000 years, archaeologists have not seen any statue that resembles or is similar to this one. Currently, researchers are still seeking answers to the questions of what exactly this statue represents and its intended purpose.
The 3,000-year-old animal statue preserved at Bình Dương Museum.
The animal statue stands at a height of 5.4 cm and a length of 6.4 cm, made of bronze with a grayish-green color due to weathering and rusting. The statue has four legs and stands on a rectangular base, with four knobs curving towards the legs, all cast together. The head features a long snout and a wide mouth, with a pointed ridge between one ear and a noticeable break. The flanks are decorated with a sun-like zigzag pattern resembling a saddle. The tail is relatively large, curling into three loops, one of which is broken. This creature is male, with a notably large genitalia.
Close-up of the controversial ancient animal statue.
There are many differing opinions surrounding this animal statue. Some speculate that it represents a deer due to its antlers, others believe it to be a horse, and some suggest it is a hunting dog…
Associate Professor – Dr. Bùi Chí Hoàng, Deputy Director of the Southern Institute of Social Sciences, Director of the Archaeological Center, and a member of the National Cultural Heritage Council, states: “Creating an artifact with such complexity indicates that its owner belonged to a community with advanced metalworking and bronze casting skills. It must be recognized as a rare artifact. It is not just an ordinary object, but likely one of the products with spiritual significance to the Southern community during their process of conquering this land.”
The Dốc Chùa animal statue attracting archaeologists on site.
Regarding the function of this statue, many hypotheses have been proposed. Some archaeologists believe this statue was a grave good, indicating it belonged to an individual. However, the specific purpose of the statue remains unknown. Currently, the mysteries surrounding this 3,000-year-old animal statue are still unresolved. The statue is currently housed at the Bình Dương Provincial Museum and was recognized as a national treasure in 2013.
