SA HUYNH CERAMICS

“Sa Huynh” is the name of a location in Quang Ngai Province, where archaeologists discovered many unique artifacts during an excavation in 1909. Since then, “Sa Huynh” has been used to designate the culture of the creators of these artifacts.

The Sa Huynh Culture is identified through its burial practices of jar tombs, glass jewelry, and ceramic utensils. Sa Huynh artifacts date back to before the 2^nd century CE. Researchers have observed a strong continuity between this culture and the Champa Culture, which developed in Central Vietnam from the 3^rd century CE onwards. The link between the Sa Huynh and Champa cultures is most clearly recognized through specific characteristics found in their ceramic products.

CHAMPA CERAMICS

Alongside stone sculpture, ceramic making held a vital place in Champa culture. Champa ceramics inherited many characteristics of Sa Huynh pottery in terms of materials, colors, and firing temperatures. Cham ceramics were widely used in architecture, not only for basic functional elements like roof tiles and floor tiles, but also for decorative details on tower corners, walls, and bases. Ceramic items were also common in daily life, including cooking pots and water jars.

Archaeological excavations in Binh Dinh Province have revealed the remains of numerous pottery kilns dating to the 14^th and 15^th centuries, commonly known as Go Sanh ceramics. Featuring a wide variety of products, the techniques and style of Go Sanh ceramics served as a bridge between Champa and Dai Viet ceramics, a tradition continued by artisans in Central Vietnam to this day.