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ABSTRACT
This field report is about studying and observing the ancient Halin city.
According to excavations and historical records, Halin said to be one of Pyu ancient
city and have a great good time between 3rd to 6th century. Before we are going to
Halin city, we learned the aerial photos and maps of Halin city.

A group of archaeology students including over one hundred members

were headed by Dr. Kyaw Myo Satt (the second professor of Archaeology
department, University of Yangon). This field excursion lasted from 1-4-2018 to 7-4-
2018. Along the field excursion, we are very happy and get much knowledge from it.

The aim of this field trip are the following:

 To get knowledges about Pyu culture and historical background of Halin

ancient city with cases.
 To became interest and participate in the field work excursions.
 To improve Team work skills and making plans.
 To befell and think about how to protect our ancient sites and valuable
monuments.

This report is to inform the next archaeology generation about how we

worked daily in the sites. The field work finished in 6.4.2018 and we arrived back to
Yangon safely on 8 April 2018.
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Acknowledgement
Under the arrangement of Archaeology Department of Yangon
University, a group of archaeology students took a field trip to Halin ancient
Pyu city from 1st April to 8th April 2018.
I am very thankful for helping our field works convenience and to be
successful for our mission. Firstly I want to tell a special thank speech to Dr.
San Shwe, the head professor of deparment of Archaeology and Dr. Kyaw
Myo Satt the assistance professor of department of Archaeology for caring us
during the whole field trip. Thankful to Dr Ye Htun(Lecturer), Daw Thidar
Nyein(Lecturer), Daw Thawdar Win(Lecturer), Daw Aye Aye Moe(Lecturer),
Daw Khin Than Aye( Lecturer), Daw Khin Thet Su Hlaing( Tutor), Daw
Thaw Thaw Nyein San (Tutor) for caring us and explaining about the sites.
Finally I am very thank to Nyaung Koe Pin Sayadaw for staying in
monastery and help to celebrate our meeting and discussions. And also thank
for juniors and seniors from diploma for participating the activities together
with us.
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Introduction
Under the arrangement of Archaeology Department, a group of
archaeology students took a field trip to ancient Pyu city Halin from 1st April
to 7th April 2017.
We stayed in monastery and made our excursion. Everyday we went to
sites, making notes, taking activities with individual duties to complete our
mission. We well known about the differences between reality and lectures on
paper by doing excavations. We also made field work around Halin to get well
training because of the self studying and group meeting.
This field is very useful for an archaeology student because we can get
lots of knowledge and experiences. The most unique benefit is communication
and team work together. This report is to inform about how we worked daily
in the field.

General

Halin is located between the Ayeyaewaddy and Mu River, 17km

southeast of Shwebo and 9.7 km northeast of Wetlet. The city forms a
rectangle, oriented to the northwest following the slope of the land. The
present Halin is immediate south and outside of ancient city with grouping of
Htanaunggon, Yebugon, Sa-dwingon, Kalagon , Nyaungbinoh, Twinmayat,
minywa, villages and quarters.
Halin city was established by King Karabo and after 799 reigns, the
city was destroyed and ascribed by the rain of burning ash in the time of the
last king Pyusaohti. According to evidence of Pyu stone inscriptions of Halin,
the city might have been the king's seated capital once the time of Pyu
civilization.
The archaeological studies of Halin had been started since 1904-05 by
Taw Sein Ko. According to the archaeological studies, reveal that the city was
continuously inhabited from Neolithic, Bronze and Iron age of Prehistoric
Period to Pyu and Bagan Period of historic time.
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Diary of Field Trip to Halin

 Day 1 April 2018

We left from University of Yangon at 5:00 pm.
We reached Yangon Toll Gate at 7:00 pm.
 Day 2 April 2018
We arrived Nyaung Koe Pin Monastery. Then we went to HL 29 at
2:45pm. We also studied HL30 and inscriptions museum. At night, we
made a night study and discussion at Monastery.

 Day 3 April 2018

We went to HL 17 at 7:33 am.
HL 19 -------7:50 am
HL 18--------7:54 am
HL 11-------- 8:00 am
HL 12-------- 8:21 am
HL 13-------- 8:42 am
HL 15--------8:53 am
HL 10--------9:07 am
HL 26--------9:51 am
Museum-----10:32 am
In the afternoon, U Than Kyaw Oo gave drawing lecture at Monastery.

 Day 4 April 2018

We went to HL -31 at 7:45 am
HL39---------8:11 am
HL9-----------8:23 am
HL 36---------8:46 am
HL 42---------8:55 am
HL 43---------9:05 am
Test Pit-------9:20 am
HL 5----------9:40 am
HL 3----------10:00 am
In the afternoon, we made drawing discussion.

 Day 5 April 2018

We went to Taw Ya Gu Monastery at 8:00 am
HL 22 ----------8:50 am
HL 35-----------9:30 am
HL 34-----------9:40 am
HL 32-----------10:00am
2:00 pm -------Drawing Lecture at monastery
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 Day 6 April 2018

Pabe Won Min Phayar Su---------7:40am
HL 38 A&B ---------8:45am
HL 27 --------- 9:10am
HL 24 ---------9:30 am
HL 21 ---------9:50 am
HL 23 ---------10:00am
HL 33 ---------10:10am
At 4:00 pm--- Grid System Lecture near Monastery.
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Daily Report of Halin sites

During our field excursion, we took notes and

observing and learning about Pyu ancient sites like burial and
palace sites. We didn't get some sites and only took notes the
things we saw and we learned.

Day 2
We arrived to Nyaung Koe Pin Monastery at 5:15am. We took a rest
and then we started our filed excursion.

HL-29
HL-29 is located at the south west city wall of Ancient Pyu city. The
excavation started in 5 , June 2009 by U Myat Swe, U Nyein Lwin and
colleagues. HL-29 is a burial site and so that bronze artifacts, stone rings,
earthern wares, skeletons, huge potsherds, fragments of animal bones and
shells are found. There are six layers by classification. According to
excavated things and evidences, HL-29 said to be Late Bronze-Iron Age.

HL-30
HL 30 is located about 1050 ' from the south west city wall of
ancient Pyu city. The excavation started in 5, June 2009 by U Myat Swe,
U Nyein Lwin and colleagues. The excavation exposed the ancient
graveyard. From the graveyard, 34 human skeletons are oriented to the
north. Earthern wares, stone and iron tools, beads, shells, antler and a piece
of gold plate. According to the excavated artifacts the site is said an
overlaps occupation of Neolithic and Iron Age.

Inscription Museum
The archaeological studies in ancient Halin had been commenced
since 1904 and the stone inscriptions discovered in Halin and its environs
were also collected. One of them, the stone with two inscribed lines,
recovered on the slope of earthern embankment of Nagayon Lake is said
belonging to 4th century AD accordingly with its script characters of Pyu
alphabets. It is noted as an earliest Pyu inscription and has being kept and
displayed in Bagan Archaeological museum. There are 21 stone slabs in
inscriptions shed of Halin, 3 slabs of Pyu Language, One with respond
engravings of Bodhisattva and his devotees and other 17 slabs are written
in old Myanmar language. Most of the old Myanmar inscriptions were
recorded the establishments of monastery, stupa and temple, additionally
the donation list of garden, land, slave, cattle, good, property, Tri Pitaka
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(three sets of Buddhist Cannons) and etc. The stone inscription shed was
built in 1957-58 by the expended cost of 1606 kyats and the buildingwas
extended in 1963-64.

Day 3

HL-17
HL-17 is located about 80 yards from the south of the HL-18. GPS
point is Long(E) 95.82302, Latt(N) 22.46370. The excavation started in
1966 and ended in 1967 by U Myint Aung, U Ba Than and U Kyaw HL-17
said to be the greatest city gate and four layers are found. Fragments of
Jade bracelets, Bronze knife and fragments of human bones are exposed.
Like other city gates, there are two arm walls, at the east the arm wall is
161 feet in length, 16 feet and 10 inches in width and 18 layers of brick.
The west arm wall is 183 feet in length, 16 feet 10 inches in width and 11
layers of bricks. According to the excavated records, HL-17 was destroyed
by fire.

HL-19
HL-19 is located about 167 feet from the south east of the HL-18
and about 120 yards from the south east of HL-17. GPS point is Long(E)
95.82389, Latt(N) 22.46365. The excavation started in 1966 and ended in
1967 conducted by U Myint Aung. The site is only one religious building
which is outside of the city wall. Beads, cups, holy water pots were found.

HL-18
HL-18 is located at the south east corner of the Halin ancient city.
The excavation started in 1966 and ended in 1967 by U Myint Aung. HL-
18 said to be the jail. 18 layers of bricks are found and it might be built for
the army of citywall.

HL-11
HL-11 is on the east city wall and about 1320 feet from the south east
of the city wall. The site is excavated by U Myint Aung, U Om Maung and
U Ba Than. According to the findings, pottery, iron rolled and evidences
of using wooden doors, HL-11 assumed as the city gate and 166 feet to the
north arm and the width of city gate is 17 feet.
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HL-12
HL-12 is located about 90 feet from the south of HL-11 city
armwall. The excavation started in 1965 and ended in 1966 by U Myint
Aung. HL-12 is assumed as burial site according to the findings burial
urns, skeletons. The building type is square structure with circle brick
covered like stupa.

HL-13
HL-13 is located about 330 yards from the south east of HL-9. The
excavation started in 1965 and ended in 1966 by U Myint Aung . The site
is similar to HL-12 and beads and skeletons were discovered. The building
type also the same with HL-12.

HL-15
HL-15 is located about 440 yards from the north of HL-10. It is
square shape like building. The excavation started in 1965 and ended in
1966 by U Myint Aung. Earthern wares, Skeletons, and six burial urns are
found. The brick arms are 29 feet in length, 3 feet in width and 12 layers of
bricks.

HL-10
HL-10 is on the south city wall and about 1100 yards from the south
east of HL-9. The excavation started in 1965 by U Myint Aung. It is a
huge city gate. Some burial urns, human bones, ashes, charcoal and iron
fragments are found. On the arm of city wall there are remains of post
holes. The street of gate was made by bricks, stones and clay. HL-10 was
destroyed by fire.

HL-26
HL-26 is located about 406 feet from the north of Shwe Gu Gyi
Pagoda which is located at the south of Halin city. The excavation started
in 2005 by U Kyaw Kyaw. The site said to be burial place. Stone beads,
Pottery, Skeletons, Stone tools, Bronze bells are found. The systematic
burial practices, the skeletons buried together with pottery and jwellery
were the evidences of Bronze Age and Pyu culture. There might have been
overlapped culture because four different layers are found.
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Day 4

HL-31
HL-31 is located at the center of the south city wall, east of HL-8
and west of HL-10. The excavation started in 2010 conducted by U Nyein
Lwin, U Myint Than, U Win Naing and others. HL -31 is the city gate.
Charcoal fragments, iron spike, iron artifacts and tools weapons,beads,
hand-marked bricks and flower decorated bricks were found. The layers
were overlapped and post holes are also discovered. So, we can suggest
that HL-31 is a city gate with cells and wooden doors. The evidence of
using wooden doors is iron sockets found. The strange is burial of man
who laid down with the wall of city.

HL-39
HL-39 is a palace citadel and excavated in 2016. The entrance of
palace made with brick floor. The entrance is closed by various shape and
size of stone and there might have been very dangerous situation and they
closed it for emergency. The bricks with floral reliefs are found. Wooden
post holes are also found.

HL-9
HL-9 is located at the south east corner of the inner palace. The
excavation started in 1965 by U Myint Aung. About 84 wooden posts and
bricks thickened layers were used for this building. There are already 21
post holes. HL-9 was destroyed by burning fire at 7 century BC.
According to excavation results, HL-9 was supposed to be ceremonial
building.

HL-36
HL-36 is located at the north east corner of the palace citadel. The
excavation is started in 2013-2014. It is the entrance of the city and bent
into west. Similar with Sriksetra and Beikthano city gate structure. Holy
water pottery type and many pots were found.

HL-42
HL-42 is tested site and excavated at 2017. It is water management
system. The strange thing is that they used clay dam and coated with
bricks. Similar with the Sriksetra Dam and there is 2 feet clay on the
original clay dam.
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HL-43
HL-43 is located at the north west corner of the inner palace. There
is no strange thing.

HL-5
HL-5 is known as Thike Twin Gone. The excavation started in 1964
by U Sein Maung Oo and U Myint Aung. The building structure is stupa
shaped like center cole similar with Ma Thee Kya and Khin Ba. The
strange thing is the finding of sand slab in stupa like structure. Burial urns
were found along the outer walls. The site said to be 7th century.

HL-3
HL-3 is situated outer side of southern city wall near HL-4. The
excavation work has been done in 1963-1964 and revealed a main brick
line running east to west (32) meters long. Two small brick line from both
side. It is not possible residential accommodation according to associated
findings. It might be used for defense. Excavation revealed beads, a coin
and potsherds.

Day 5

HL-22
HL-22 is located in the middle portion and western part of city.
Square shape brick structure have been exposed in the excavation of 1998-
1999.The standing stone slabs are the most prominent feature of this
building. The erected stone in three rows on the north, east and south of
interior walls. The serial rows of stones on east and south are standing like
5:4:1 ratio and the south with 3:3:2. The idea of erecting stone slabs
venerably in a brick building suggest an association with the Megalithic
culture found at Laikor in Assam and Manipu India. The manner of stone
slab erection in a series of rows is technically called "Avenue" in
Megalithic terminology. The date of this structure is estimated in 2nd
century AD.

HL-35
HL-35 is a dam and excavated by U Saw Naing Oo in 2013-2014.
This dam is rectangular shape and water managing by flooding method
closed with wood and stones. By seeing this, we can know the knowledge
of water management by Pyu.
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HL-34
HL-34 is located at the 270 meters away from north east of the
palace wall( the regional name is Kin Pon Chon Aik). The excavation
work has been done in 2014 and found the brick line running east to west
which have 15m uncompleted length, 5m thickness and 320 cm height. It
belonged prominent features which are its unique height and other
structures. Excavation revealed a few potsherds among them one of the
potsherd with mark.

HL-32
HL-32 is nearly situated the center of eastern city wall of Halin
ancient city. The excavation work has been done in 2010 brought to light
(5.18)m width entrance way which is flanked by two arms bending and
curve from the city wall. Excavation revealed charcoals, iron pieces,
spindle whorls, stone beads ,potsherds and finger marked bricks.

Day 6

Pabe Won Min Phayar Su

333 Pagodas are found and 160 pagodas are preserved. These
pagodas are Kon Baung Period. According to the amount of Pagodas, we
can suggest that Halin city was peaceful and developed in religious
ceremonies.

HL-38 A and B
It is like water chamber supposed to have been built for workman.
Some said that is religious building. The excavation started in 2014-15 by
U Zaw Htun. According to great technology, we know about the greatness
of Pyu cities.

HL-27
HL-27 is situated at the north of the Halin ancient city. The
excavation started in 2008 by U Myat Swe. It is the brick wall. Potsherds,
bronze flake in the shape of moon, iron fork, Pipe, human bones and
animal bones.
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HL-24
HL-24 is ordinary building for people living. The excavation started
in 1998 carried out by U Paing Soe. The various sizes of bricks, earthern
wares, iron tools and stone tools, burial urns are found.

HL-21
HL-21 is located at the north east corner of Halin ancient city. The
excavation started in 1998 by U Paing Soe. It is the entrance of the city.
Fragments of bricks, charcoals, iron spikes, potsherds and finger marked
bricks were found. The date of the site may be 3-7th century AD.

HL-23
HL-23 is located about 330 feet from the south of HL-21. The site
was excavated in 1998 by U Paing Soe. It is the building with beads, iron
artifacts, potsherds, finger marked bricks and other iron weapons.

HL-33
HL-33 is situated on western city wall in U Pe Thee plot of
farmland. Excavation has been done in 2011-2012. A coin , silver ring,
iron arrowhead, iron weapon, iron pieces, burnt pillars, spindle whals and
finger marked bricks are found.
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Conclusion
Halin had been the greatest city of Pyu between 2 nd century BC to
9th century AD. Among the Pyu cities of Sriksetra, Beikthano, MaingMao,
Halin, there are some differences but all have similarities through the
cultural traits and others like building designs, tools and weapons. Many
artefacts from Chin dwin and Samon Region have been found at Halin.
Typical Samon finds at Halin including mother-goddess figures represent
the religion of Halin which was dominated by Hindu-Buddhist. The wall
around the Pyu center of Beikthano, Sriksetra and Halin, show the similar
need to protect. The wall undoubtedly was built and rebuilt at number of
times, but as discussed here, it was not the limit of the Halin domain in the
ninth century, or before or after this time. Halin revealed about the ritual,
burial practices political dimensions far more in keeping with the rich
traditional and archaeological records of the site.
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References

1. Ministry of Culture, Archaeology, Museum Department

Sagaing Division, "Halin Ancient city Survey Report" (2012)

2. Aung Myint 1998: Site Characteristics of Pyu and Pagan

Ruins, Paper presented at A Comparative Study of the Dry
Areas in Southeast Asia

3. The Pyu site of Halin, Upper Myanmar: bridge to China?

Paper for Institute of Archaeology, Beijing, Sept 2004

Elizabeth Moore

4.Daily Notes
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Illustrations

Map of Halin
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Stone slab
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Skeletons found at HL-26

HL-39 Palace citadel

HL-39 Brick with Floral Reliefs

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HL-22( Megalithic Stone Erecting)

HL-11 ( City Gate)

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HL-36

HL-31 ( Bricks layer of Pyu city gate)