Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t14.4

v1.c7.s3.t14.4

In recent years, the Chinese archaeology world, after conducting a survey and excavation job on the Yongning Temple, discovered that the boundary walls of the temple were rectangular. It measured 305 m from north to south and 260 m from east to west. The base of the pagoda was located right in the middle of boundary walls which was square. On the north of the pagoda, there was a large relic of rammed earth, known as the base of the main palace hall measuring more than 60 m from east to west with a total area of over 1,300 sq m. The front gate, pagoda and main hall were all located on the verge of axle line and the pagoda was, of course, the most important building. The halls were behind the pagoda which was a typical layout for a Buddhist temple construction during early ancient China. There were a huge number of damaged Buddhist statues made out of clay and building materials such as stone statues, tiles and eaves tiles unearthed during the survey and excavation.