VIETNAM, June 7, 2024 (Varnam): The Cat Tien archaeological site was accidentally discovered in 1985 and has since undergone numerous excavations, uncovering evidence of a Hindu civilization dating from the 4th to the 9th century C.E. The Shiva Linga measures 89 inches in height. In 2020, a Vietnamese news outlet reported that large-scale excavations began on March 12, 2020, at the Cat Tien site in the Cat Tien district of Lam Dong province, located in the Central Highlands. These excavations, a collaboration between the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Southern Institute of Social Sciences’ archaeology center, were planned to last a year. The site dates back to the 4th to 8th centuries AD. It spans hundreds of acres and extends approximately 9.3 miles along the Dong Nai River. First excavated in 1999, the Cat Tien site was designated a special national relic in 2014.

The news also reported that the site featured temple towers from the 7th or 8th century AD. However, archaeologists discovered that much of the surface architecture had been damaged. Despite this, hundreds of thousands of artifacts have been uncovered at the site, including artworks, statues, and weapons made from a variety of materials such as gold, silver, bronze, steel, gemstones, crystal, ceramics, and sandstone. This indicates that the discovery of the Shiva Linga was actually reported as early as 2012. This finding suggests that the practice of Shaivism dates back much further than previously believed. It also highlights the widespread presence of Hinduism and its religious practices across various parts of the world. The historical reach of Hinduism, evidenced by such archaeological discoveries, underscores its profound and extensive influence on diverse cultures and regions throughout history.

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https://varnam.my/97444/recent-discovery-of-shiva-linga-in-vietnam-traces-back-to-previous-reports-from-2012/

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