HANOI - Archaeologists yesterday announced that they have uncovered the ruins of an ancient citadel dating back to the seventh century. They described it as the most important archaeological find in Vietnamese history.

Workers began clearing an area the size of two soccer fields in December last year to build government buildings. Construction was halted earlier this month after officials determined that the site might contain artefacts.

Yesterday, an archaeological team revealed it had discovered thousands of artefacts, many in good condition, as well as pillar foundations of a 1,000-sq-m structure, graves, a network of drainage systems, water wells and imprints of an ancient river and lake.

'This is the biggest and most important find in Vietnam's archaeological history,' said Dr Tong Trung Tin, deputy director of the Institute of Archaeology.

In some places, the team came across artefacts and structures built on top of one another ranging from the seventh to the 19th centuries, he said.

He said the excavation site covered only a small part of the western side of the citadel, which was believed to cover an area of up to 140ha under the Le Dynasty from the 15th to 18th centuries.

The team has another 5,000 sq m to clear, and is expected to finish the job in another four months.

Dr Tin did not say when the discovery was made. He said he will request international assistance for the project.

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