Discover the Ancient Secrets of Nhẫm Dương Temple: A Treasure Trove of Fossils and History

Located at the foot of the Nhẫm Dương mountain range in Kinh Môn, Vietnam, the Nhẫm Dương Temple (also known as Thánh Quảng Temple) is much more than a place of worship. This historic site, dating back to the Trần Dynasty in the 13th century, serves as a remarkable open-air museum preserving thousands of years of biological and human history. Throughout the turbulent years of the resistance wars against French and American forces, the temple and its surrounding cave systems, such as the Tĩnh Niệm and Thánh Hóa caves, provided a secret base for revolutionists to hide weapons and food supplies.

In recent decades, the temple has gained international attention for its incredible archaeological finds. In 1999, Abbess Thích Diệu Mơ discovered ancient coins, ceramics, and fossilized teeth embedded in the cave walls while following the instructions of her predecessors. This sparked a series of professional excavations led by experts like Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Lân Cường. Between 2000 and 2017, researchers unearthed 471 samples of animal fossils, including the remains of orangutans, rhinoceroses, bears, and primates. These fossils are estimated to be between 30,000 and 50,000 years old, offering a rare glimpse into the prehistoric ecosystem of Southeast Asia.

Beyond biological fossils, the temple houses a stunning collection of human history. Excavations near the entrance of Thánh Hóa cave revealed human facial bones and teeth from the Neolithic and Holocene periods. One of the most significant finds is a collection of 728 ancient coins featuring 120 different types from Vietnam, China, Japan, and Laos. Rare coins like the Thiên Phù nguyên bảo from the Lý Dynasty and the Trí Pháp thông bảo (a unique temple coin) suggest that this area was once a bustling commercial hub and trade port. Today, Nhẫm Dương Temple is part of the Yên Tử - Vĩnh Nghiêm - Côn Sơn - Kiếp Bạc complex, currently being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status. Visitors can explore a curated selection of these artifacts at the temple's ancestral house while the local government plans a dedicated archaeological museum to better preserve these invaluable national treasures.

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