Donation of Ancient Artifacts: MOHTC UM presented the rewards for the donors

A ceremony honoring the donation of ancient artifacts was held Thursday at the National Museum (Nay Pyi Taw). Union Minister for Hotels, Tourism and Culture U Maung Myint attended the event and delivered the opening address.

In his remarks, the Union Minister stated that the Department of Archaeology and National Museum under the Ministry of Hotels, Tourism and Culture has been collecting and preserving ancient artifacts by awarding rewards to individuals who hand over artifacts discovered under various circumstances. He explained that, in accordance with the Law on the Protection and Preservation of Ancient Objects, individuals who surrender ancient artifacts are rewarded not only based on the original value of the objects, but also according to their historical period value, artistic value, and additional rarity value if the artifacts are especially rare. He also expressed special gratitude to those who responsibly handed over 333 Pyu-era silver coins and 328 Konbaung-era alloy plates that they had collected as hobby items, helping to ensure that cultural heritage would not be lost.

For donating 328 Konbaung-era alloy plates, Venerable U Wara Ñana, the Presiding Sayaw of Bahan Monastery, was awarded a reward of 5,625,000 kyats (fifty-six lakh twenty-five thousand kyats exactly), along with additional rewards for original value, historical period value, artistic value, rarity value, and a certificate of honor.

Likewise, U Win Ko Ko Maung of Market (Sa), between 125th and 126th Streets on 58th Street, Pyigyitagon Township, Mandalay Region, was awarded 48,532,484 kyats (forty-eight million five hundred thirty-two thousand four hundred eighty-four kyats exactly), along with rewards for original value, historical period value, artistic value, rarity value, and a certificate of honor for donating 333 Pyu-era silver coins.

According to reports, from the 2010–2011 fiscal year through the 2025–2026 fiscal year, the Department of Archaeology and National Museum has awarded a total of 598,679,072 kyats in rewards to 459 individuals who donated ancient artifacts. The collected artifacts include 3,144 gold items, 853 silver items, 949 bronze items, and 28,669 other artifacts, for a total of 33,615 items, it’s learnt.