(HBO) – Hoa Binh province is currently home to more than 120 relic sites of the Hoa Binh Civilisation. There haven’t been any relic sites of this civilisation’s early period (about over 30,000 - 20,000 years ago) found in the province. While some sites date back to the middle period (over 20,000 - over 10,000 years ago), the majority belong to the late period of the civilisation (over 10,000 - 7,000 years ago).

 


An excavation team works at the Vanh Village stone shelter relic site in Yen Phu commune of Lac Son district in 2022.

Relic sites of Hoa Binh Civilisation’s middle period

The Trai Hamlet Cave relic site, located in Trai hamlet of Tan Lap commune (Lac Son district), was discovered in 1980. The Vietnam Institute of Archaeology carried out excavations there in May 1981 and August 1982 and concluded that this is a typical relic site of the Hoa Binh Civilisation. In 1997, this place was recognised as a national historical and cultural relic site.

The Khoai Cave relic site in Khoai Mountain in Sun hamlet of Xam Khoe commune (Mai Chau district) dates back to 17,000 - 11,000 years ago. It was listed as a national historical and cultural relic site in 1997.

Dating back to 17,000 - 8,000 years ago, the Vanh Village stone shelter in Trang Mountain of Vanh hamlet, Yen Phu commune (Lac Son district), was found by French archaeologist M. Colani in 1929. Thanks to its precious historical and scientific values, it earned the national importance status in 2004.

Relic sites of Hoa Binh Civilisation’s late period

Exploring Muoi Cave in Bua Ben Mountain of Man Duc township (Tan Lac district), archaeologists have unearthed more than 900 objects and two graves there. The site, dating back to 10,000 - 7,000 years ago, contains a wide range of vestiges typical for the late period of the Hoa Binh Civilisation. It was recognised as a historical and cultural relic site in 1995.

Meanwhile, the Cho Cave relic site in Hui hamlet of Cao Son commune (Luong Son district) was first excavated by M. Colani in 1926. Research findings revealed that it dates back about 10,000 years and was a long-term living place of prehistoric humans. The cave was named a historical and cultural relic site of national importance in 2000.

At Bung Cave in Suoi Hoa commune (Tan Lac district), working tools and animal and plant traces found there indicate that the site dates back over 10,000 years. It earned the national importance recognition in 2003.

The Tam Cave relic site, located in Rong Tam hamlet of Lam Son commune (Luong Son district), contains diverse work tools typical for techniques used in the Hoa Binh Civilisation. Dating back to less than 10,000 years ago, it was recognised as a national historical and cultural relic site in 2000.

Dong Thot Cave in Ba Hang Doi township (Lac Thuy district), dating back to about 10,000 - 7,000 years ago, was recognised as a national historical and cultural relic site in 2001.

According to the Hoa Binh provincial Museum, only 12 archaeological relic sites in the localities have been listed as historical and cultural sites of national importance, including 10 belonging to the Hoa Binh Civilisation. There remain a large number of relics that haven’t studied, and it is necessary to have a long-term plan for the civilisation research./.

 


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