Binh Phuoc announces 3,000 year-old lithophone as national treasure
The lithophone, with its first 12 pieces in the size order, was found in October 1996 by Mr. Bui Huu Trieu (residing at Hamlet 8, Loc Hoa Commune, Loc Linh District) when he was digging in his garden. A few days later, he continued to discover additional 14 rocky pieces of the instrument, about 1 meter away from the earlier-dug location.
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After received the information from Mr. Bui Huu Trieu, relevant local agencies of Loc Hoa Commune, Loc Ninh District in collaboration with the Song Be Museum (former name of Binh Phuong Provincial Museum) conducted a careful study on the newly-found rocky pieces, and then identified them as parts of a lithophone - an ancient musical instruments of prehistoric people.
The newly-found has contributed significantly to the province’s collection of lithophone sets.
In 2017, Binh Phuoc Museum completed dossiers on the Loc Hoa lithophone and proposed the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism to recognize it. On December 25th 2017, the Loc Hoa lithophone was recognized by the State as a national treasure.
The Loc Hoa lithophone, which was elaborately crafted and dated back over 3,000 years ago, is a typical example of the presence of ancient people in Binh Phuoc. This has also proved the long-lived history of man in this area. The Loc Hoa lithophone was made of igneous rocks and has clear high pitched sound.
