Lhasa has started archaeological research into ruins of the largest local moastery of the Bon religion, China Tibet News reported.

Bon is the original religion of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. According to Shung Karma Gyaltsen, research associate at Lhasa Cultural Relics Bureau, the Zhilong Monastery ruins are located in Nechung town, Tohlung Dechen County of Lhasa. Built in 1088, it has over 900 years of history and is the largest Bon monastery ruins in Lhasa.

In 1718, soldiers from Junggar tribe in Mongolia destroyed many monasteries in Tibet including the Zhilong Monastery, and ordered not to restore them after destruction. In addition, due to the social and historical changes and declining of the Bon religion at that time, the Zhilong Monastery was never rebuilt again, leaving ruins until now.

According to Shung Karma Gyaltsen, in November 2014 archaeology experts and ancient architecture professionals of the Tibet regional and Lhasa municipal cultural relics bureaus conducted a preliminary investigation on the Zhilong Bon Monastery ruins. And in March this year further archaeological research was carried out on the ruins. Through on-site surveys and archaeological investigation, exploration and excavation, a comprehensive understanding about the history, area, topography, layout and other functions of the monastery ruins has been gathered. This will provide valuable, detailed and accurate data of the Zhilong Monastery as well as the architectural forms of other Bon monasteries for further research. 

Shung Karma Gyaltsen said, the existing Zhilong ruins are large in scale and complex in structure with severe damage. So a great deal of work is required including comprehensive surveys, mapping, archaeological excavations and investigations in order to preserve it.