The Go Thanh collection of elephant-shaped gold leaves, which is preserved at Tien Giang Provincial Museum, is part of Oc Eo culture in the Mekong River Delta region.

The shapes of the elephants on the leaves are spread out in many directions, featuring their roles as the guardian deities of the light according to the Indian culture.

The delegates admire the gold leaves. (Photo: NDO)

The collection is an important means to document and identify basic contents related to Go Thanh archaeological site in particular and the Oc Eo culture of the southern region.

According to Tien Giang Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, archaeologists found many precious artifacts, including 18 elephant-shaped gold leaves, at the Go Thanh archaeological site in Tan Thuan Binh Commune, Cho Gao District.