(HBO) – The organising board of a workshop marking 90 years since the world’s recognition of the Hoa Binh Civilisation held a tour of some typical archaeological sites of this civilisation on November 22. Participants included officials of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the ministry’s Cultural Heritage Department, the Institute of Archaeology, the Vietnam Archaeological Association, and domestic and foreign scientists. Vice Chairman of the Hoa Binh provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Toan, officials of some departments and sectors, and representatives of the Lac Son district People’s Committee also joined the delegation.
The delegation visits the Vanh Village stone shelter,
a relic site in Yen Phu commune of Lac Son district.
The delegation visited the Trai Hamlet cave in
Tan Lap commune and the Vanh Village stone shelter in Yen Phu commune, which
are typical archaeological sites of the Hoa Binh Civilisation. The Trai Hamlet
cave, discovered in 1975, has been excavated and studied for many years.
Research findings show that it dates back to the Hoa Binh Civilisation in the
Stone Age. In 2001, it was recognised as a national archaeological site.
Scientists found entrances to the cave in 2004 and 2008. Aside from stone tools
and food vestiges typical for the Hoa Binh Civilisation, many beautifully
decorated ceramic pieces and sharpened axes dating back 3,500 - 3,200 years
have also been unearthed at this cave.
Meanwhile, the Vanh Village stone shelter was
found by French archaeologist M. Colani in 1929 during an archaeological survey
of the southern limestone mountain area of Hoa Binh province. As many as 951
objects were collected there. In addition to hewn tools, a large number of
sharpened tools and stone bracelets were also discovered. According to the
study results announced in 1930, this relic site dates back about 17,000 -
8,000 years and belongs to the Hoa Binh Civilisation. Therefore, it was
classified as a site of the middle period of the civilisation.
During the tour, Dr. Nguyen Viet, Director of
the Centre for Prehistoric Southeast Asian Studies, updated participants on the
2022 excavation, which has given a further insight into the Hoa Binh
Civilisation. The latest research efforts revealed that this civilisation was
much older and more diverse than what have been known so far. Given this, more
interesting findings are expected in the future./.
Hoa Binh province has carried out multiple programmes and initiatives to revive its cultural heritage which has gradually fallen into oblivion through the ebbs and flows of history.
The most prominent and defining feature in the prehistoric era of Hoa Binh is the Hoa Binh Culture. The Culture was first discovered in Hoa Binh. The significant prehistoric culture represents not only Vietnam but also Southeast Asia and southern China. Through excavations of cave sites in the limestone regions of Hoa Binh, French archaeologist M. Colani introduced the world to a "Stone Age in Hoa Binh province – Northern Vietnam" in 1927. On January 30, 1932, the First Congress of Far Eastern Prehistorians, held in Hanoi, officially recognised the Hoa Binh Culture.
Known as the "Land of Epic History”, Hoa Binh province, the gateway to Vietnam’s northwest, boasts a strategic location and a unique cultural tapestry woven by its ethnic minority communities.
The People's Committee of Luong Son District recently held a ceremony to receive the certificate recognizing Sau Communal House in Thanh Cao Commune as a provincial-level historical and cultural site.
Recognising the importance of cultural heritage preservation in protecting and promoting the value system of Vietnamese culture, and serving socio-economic development in the new period, Party committees and local administrations in Hoa Binh province have identified it as a key task in the cultural development strategy. The province has been making efforts in mobilising resources, creating consensus among people and engaging ethnic communities in preserving and promoting cultural identity.
Hoa Binh province has captured growing attention both domestically and internationally for its distinctive cultural heritage and rich history. Most notably, it has been renowned for its famous Hoa Binh culture, considered the cradle of ancient Vietnamese civilisation. Looking ahead to significant milestones in 2025 and the 140th anniversary of province establishment in 2026, Hoa Binh Newspaper presents a comprehensive overview of the province's development across economic, social, cultural, tourism, and security domains.
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