CHINA-MYANMAR joint archaeological excavations are underway to the south-west, south and west of the Thatbyinnyu Temple in the Bagan Ancient Cultural Heritage Area, according to the Bagan Branch of the Department of Archaeology and National Museum.
The latest excavations, which began in July 2026, focus on the temple’s enclosure wall and entrance gate. Building on investigations carried out in 2017 and 2023, archaeologists have uncovered sections of brick walls, brick structures, sandstone foundations, brick flooring and roof tiles, providing further evidence of the temple complex’s original layout.
Myanmar and China signed a memorandum of minutes (MoM) in 2017 and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2022 to restore and conserve the Great Thatbyinnyu Temple, which was damaged in the 2016 earthquake. Under the MoU, the two countries are also jointly studying the temple’s architectural remains, including its enclosure walls, courtyard walls and possible additional entrance gates. — ASH/MKKS
