On December 31, 2020 Co Loa mould collection was recognized as a national treasure in the Prime Minister's Decision No. 2283/QD-TTg on the recognition of national treasures (set 9) in 2020.
In 2004, the Institute of Archeology, in collaboration with the Management Department of Hanoi Monuments and Scenic Spots, excavated before restoring the Thuong temple relic. The excavation revealed the bronze furnace relic (three-sided bronze copper arrow). This is a new and valuable discovery to decipher the secret of the legendary crossbow in the An Duong Vuong period. In 2006 and 2007, the Center for Conservation of Co Loa - Ancient Citadel (Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center) continued to coordinate with the Institute of Archeology to excavate at Thuong Temple. They discovered a system of traces of copper furnaces and many stone arrow molds.
Bronze molds location discovered
The Co Loa mold collection was discovered along with the remains of copper casting furnace. In which, the structure of the pipeline leading to the furnace is clearly visible, and the remnants of coal ash are still dense. Around the furnace area, there are not only intact molds, broken molds, mold sketches, scraps, waste left in the mold making process and many mold materials, but also products of casting furnaces such as bronze arrows, crucible pieces, copper slag. These relics are dated to the cultural class of the Co Loa period (equivalent to the Dong Son culture period - early Iron Age), III - II centuries BC, equivalent to the An Duong period. Vuong, Au Lac state by archaeologists. There are a total of 11 stone molds, specifically 10 three-sided arrow molds and one swallow-shaped javelin. It is made from a soft, fine-grained stone (sandstone), and very suitable for molding. These are original and unique artifacts, the only known discovery so far in Vietnam has special value and are honored as a proper noun: Co Loa bronze arrow.
The inside, the outside and the drawing of the three-sided bronze arrow mold
Out of 10 pieces of the three-sided bronze arrow molds, two have outer faces that are polished and engraved with inscriptions (Chinese characters). Thus, Au Lac state, An Duong Vuong period used Chinese characters to engrave on important artifacts (casting molds, bronze drums).
Kanji engraving mold
The stamped version (Chinese characters?) of the mold bearing the symbol 05Đ.H3.L4-3.F3:1. One word is translated: "God", writed: "臣", which roughly translates as: "Quan". The rest of the letters have not been deciphered.
The stamped version (Chinese characters) of the mold bearing the symbol 05Đ.H3.F3.L2:49. Phonetic: "Human", write: "人", translate as: "People".
Swallow-shaped javelin mold
The process of casting a three-point bronze arrow from a three-point mold
National treasure Co Loa casting collection is being managed and displayed at the Gallery of the Management Department of Co Loa vestige site
MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT OF CO LOA VESTIGE SITE
