A glance at Hoa Binh Civilisation: Evolution in human life in New Stone Age’s early period

12/7/2022 - 3:29:04 PM

(HBO) – In the early period of the New Stone Age (the Neolithic), with the appearance of the grinding technique and the contact with different groups of inhabitants nearby, prehistoric humans not only practiced hunting and foraging but also used fire to cook food and make pottery objects.

Cho Cave in Hui hamlet of Cao Son commune, Luong Son district, was a long-term place of residence of prehistoric humans in the Hoa Binh Civilisation.

At Sung Sam Cave in Hanoi’s My Duc district, researchers have collected 2,233 stone, bone, and pottery items, along with a number of human teeth. These artefacts featured typical characteristics of working techniques in the Hoa Binh Civilisation. In terms of stone tool making, aside from direct flaking and limited flaking on the edges of pebbles, Sumatralith – a technique to create almost oval to rectangular shaped stone artefacts made by unifacially flaking around the circumference of a pebble – also appeared. In addition, 117 rudimentary pottery pieces were also unearthed at this cave.

Vestiges found at the Sung Sam Cave showed that hunting and foraging were two main economic activities of primitive humans in the Huong Son - Sung Sam area. There were also many bone pieces with burn marks, indicating that humans at that time cooked meat over fire. The wide range of prehistoric humans’ traces, including animal teeth, stone tools, and pottery pieces, proved that Sung Sam used to be a large and long-term workshop and burial site similar to some other archaeological sites dating back to the Hoa Binh Civilisation like Bon and Doi villages.

At Muoi Cave in Man Duc town of Tan Lac district (Hoa Binh province), archaeologists discovered primitive humus pits, over 900 objects, and two graves. Excavation results showed this relic site dates back to the Hoa Binh Civilisation, about 10,000 - 7,000 years ago. This place was recognised as a national archaeological relic site in 1995.

Meanwhile, findings at Cho Cave in Hui hamlet of Cao Son commune (Luong Son district) revealed that the cave, dating back about 10,000 years, was a long-term place of residence and also a workshop of humans in the Hoa Binh Civilisation. It was named a national archaeological relic site in 2000.

Dr. Nguyen Viet, Director of the Centre for Prehistoric Southeast Asian Studies, said about 20,000 - 25,000 years ago, the first inhabitants of the Hoa Binh Civilisation lived scatteredly across the areas which are now districts of Hoa Binh province. They mainly lived on hunting and foraging, and this period was very long.

After that, there were changes in their life when small groups of the inhabitants who practiced rice cultivation and reached the early Metal Age from Thanh Hoa and Ninh Binh areas came here to exploit stone. These groups of inhabitants brought along pottery and rice farming techniques and resided besides the ones living at Trai Hamlet Cave in Tan Lap commune (Lac Son district), forming a new "village” near the cave.

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.