The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture presented cash awards and certificate of honour to the villagers for handing over of Pyu pagoda and ancient artifacts at the Department of Archaeological Research and National Museum in Pyu Ancient City on 15 October.
U Myo Win, U Maung Myint, U Zaw and U Kyat Taw from Hanlin Village, Wetlet Township, Shwebo District in Sagaing Region found parts of a bell-shaped pagodas and few ancient artifacts including two silver coins while they were clearing farmland.
At the awarding ceremony, Sagaing Region Chief Minister Dr Myint Naing expressed thanks to the villagers for handing over of the Pyu pagoda and ancient artifacts.
Earlier this month, six persons including U Bo Myint from Par Hae (North) Village, Khone Gyi Village-tract in Kani Township, Sagaing Region were also awarded K997,479 for handing over of 25 artifacts from Bronze Age and Iron Age, he added.
The Chief Minister presented K11.903 million cash awards to five persons who found the artifacts and owner of the farm. On behalf of the villagers, village elder U Khin Thaung expressed thanks.
He presented K2.6 million in advance while providing the artifacts to him on 20 September, and then handed over the ancient objects to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture. The ministry presented the cash award after calculating the original gold and silver values, historical value and arts works values.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture’s Department of Archaeological Research and National Museum is protecting and preserving the antique objects in accordance with the Protection and Preservation of Antique Objects Law, and cooperation from the public also plays a crucial role.
This is the first finding of Pyu pagoda in World Heritage Pyu Ancient City-Hanlin and its historical value is high.

—MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

Photo: MNA

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar