The drum-shaped city wall in the ancient city of Inwa, TadaU Township, Mandalay Region, will be excavated and studied again, according to Dr Than Htike, Director of the Department of Archaeology and National Museum under the Ministry of Hotels, Tourism and Culture.
The ancient city of Inwa is known to have three layers of city walls and three layers of moats namely, the inner-city wall, the drum-shaped city wall (the second wall), and the outer city wall (the third wall) and the remains of these walls and moats are still clearly visible today. Inwa was first founded by King Thadoe Minphya on 26 January 1365. “The Inwa drum-shaped city wall is unlike any other city wall in South-East Asia. Similar structures do not exist elsewhere in Asia. The wall is shaped like a large musical drum, with its structure curving accordingly. It is an exceptionally rare example of craftsmanship. Initially, we will begin clearing the section from the southwest corner of the drum-shaped city wall to Yan Hnein Gate. We will remove all bushes and trees growing on the wall so that the original structure becomes visible. At present, we have begun site-clearing and survey work in preparation for these operations. All planned activities will be carried out within this financial year,” Dr Than Htike said.
The Department of Archaeology and National Museum previously conducted archaeological excavations at the Inwa Palace site during the 1994-1995 financial year, at the city wall and moat during the 2014-2015 financial year, and at the city entrance gate during the 2015-2016 financial year.
ASH/TH
#GlobalNewLightOfMyanmar