Trà Kiệu

Trà Kiệu is a historical site located in Quảng Nam province, central Vietnam. It served as the ancient capital of the Champa kingdom, specifically during the period from the 4th to the 8th centuries AD. It is believed to have been the capital Simhapura, meaning "Lion City" in Sanskrit.

The site contains the remnants of a citadel and numerous Cham temples, although much of the original structure has been lost to time and the elements. Archaeological excavations have unearthed numerous artifacts, including statues, carvings, and architectural fragments, providing valuable insights into Cham culture, religion, and artistic traditions. These artifacts are often displayed in museums in Vietnam, notably the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang.

Trà Kiệu is significant for understanding the early period of the Champa kingdom and its cultural interactions with other Southeast Asian civilizations, including India. The site's layout and the style of its surviving art indicate a strong influence of Indian religious and artistic concepts.

While not as extensively preserved as later Cham sites like Mỹ Sơn, Trà Kiệu offers crucial evidence for tracing the development of Cham civilization and is a subject of ongoing archaeological research. It represents an important archaeological site for those interested in Southeast Asian history and the Champa kingdom.