Treasures from My Son Sanctuary
(QNO) - Tower E1, located at My Son Sanctuary, has three distinctive and highly representative national treasures in terms of art and religion of the Champa civilisation.
The tower of treasures
My Son E1, built in the 7th - 8th centuries, is the only place to preserve the earliest Champa art and architecture. Made of brick, wood, stone, and terracotta, it featured a square base and an altar, now partially displayed at the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Danang city.
Besides, My Son E1 is the place where a lintel depicting Brahma's Birth was found. This tower showcases influences from Indian, Chinese, and Thai Dvaravati art. However, the temple has completely collapsed.
New discoveries about the My Son E1 altar
The My Son E1 altar was excavated in 1903 - 1904. In 2012, its decorated base was recognised as a national treasure and moved to the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Danang City, while the altar body remains at Tower E1.
In 2018, Sanskrit inscriptions were found on the altar. In 2022, the altar was identified as a mukhalinga (linga with a divine face) through these Sanskrit inscriptions, matching another mukhalinga found nearby in 2012.
These discoveries enable researchers to reconfigure the altar and suggest its components were constructed in different periods.
Values of three national treasures
The three national treasures from My Son’s tower E1 highlight the artistic and religious legacy of Champa.
The mukhalinga, a masterpiece of 7th–8th-century Champa, features Shiva's face and is praised as the finest in Southeast Asia.
The My Son E1 altar uniquely depicts Brahmin ascetics amidst mountain and forest scenes, alongside architectural motifs influenced by Chinese and Indian art.
The Birth of Brahma lintel portrays Vishnu meditating on the cosmic ocean, reflecting early Indian influences and Mon-Dvaravati artistry.