A glance at Hoa Binh Civilisation: Stone Age traces at archaeological sites

12/11/2022 - 7:59:08 PM

(HBO) – The Stone Age lasted about 3.4 million years and ended around 8700 - 2000 BC. During this period, stone was widely used to create sharp-edged, pointed or single-sided hammer tools used in hunting and gathering.

Personnel from the Hoa Binh Museum and the Southeast Asian Prehistoric Research Center excavate at the Mai da lang Vanh relic site in Yen Phu commune, Lac Son district.

In 1965, at Tham Khuyen cave, Binh Gia district, Lang Son province, scientists found human teeth lying in red sediment containing bones of animals dating back from the Canh Tan period. These teeth have the characteristics of both human and ape teeth. This is solid evidence of a human-ape existence in Vietnam 300,000 years ago.

In 1984, in Ma Dieu cave, Ha Trung commune, Ba Thuoc district, Thanh Hoa province, archaeologists discovered more than 300 Paleolithic artifacts. From 1986 to 1989, thousands of stone artifacts were unearthed. In particular, 10 ancient tombs were found here.

According to Nguyen Viet, Director of the Southeast Asian Prehistoric Research Center, 108 stone artifacts and some animal bones were recovered at the relic of Trai hamlet, Tan Lap commune, Lac Son, in 1980. This was a cultural relic of the Hoabinhian which was rich in culture and artifacts. In May 1981, the Institute of Archaeology unearthed 1,150 artifacts, including stone tools, bones, pottery pieces, and rice grains. In addition, they also discovered an ancient path dating back thousands of years ago. In conclusion, the cave is a permanent residence, and a workshop for making tools of the Hoabinhian inhabitants, revealing a possible existence of a primitive wet rice farming area during the period.

The relic of Mai da lang Vanh in Vanh hamlet, Yen Phu commune, Lac Son, is a cave where a large number of shells were found, with 972 artifacts found in scientists’ related excavations. In 1929, archaeologist M.Colani discovered pieces of eight skulls there. The relic was believed to belong to the Hoabinhian, possibly dating back 17,000 to 8,000 years ago. M. Colani placed the site in the intermediate stage of the civilisation. With significant historical and scientific values, the cave was recognised as a national archaeological relic in 2004. In 2005, the Khai Ha festival of Yen Phu people was restored in association with the relic.

Promoting Hoa Binh cultural heritage values: Part 3 - Reviving traditional values

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.

Exploring Hoa Binh Culture

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.

Promoting Hoa Binh cultural heritage values: Part 2 - Rich cultural heritage in Vietnam’s northwest gateway

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.

Receiving the certificate of the historical and cultural site at the provincial level for Sau Communal House, Thanh Cao Commune

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.

Motivation for community to enhance cultural heritage preservation

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.

A journey through time: Exploring rich history, formation of Hoa Binh province: Article 1: Major features of Hoa Binh province formation

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.