During the structural reinforcement of Temple No. 1422 in the Bagan archaeological zone, conservationists discovered a series of hidden cavities within the brickwork of the upper terrace. These vaults contained several small ruby-cored reliquaries, each encased in silver and gold leaf, marking one of the most significant finds of precious metalwork in the region in decades.
The restoration work, which aimed to repair damage from recent monsoonal rains, also uncovered undocumented Sanskrit inscriptions etched into the mortar of the vaults. These texts identify the royal patrons of the temple and detail the specific rituals performed during the consecration of the reliquaries in the 12th century, during the height of the Pagan Empire.