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.

The Great Solidarity Festival for all the ethnic groups in Nam Thai hamlet, Doan Ket commune

On November 6, the residential area, Nam Thai hamlet, Doan Ket commune (Yen Thuy) organized the Great National Solidarity Festival and celebrated the 94th anniversary of the traditional day of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (November 18, 1930 - November 18, 2024). There was the attendance of Mr. Nguyen Tien Sinh, the Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, the Chairman of the Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Commission, and the leaders of the appropriate departments and branches of the province and Yen Thuy district.

Yen Thuy district preserves Muong ethnic cultural heritage

The authorities and community in Yen Thuy district are dedicated to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of ethnic groups in the locality. Yen Thuy is home to seven ethnic groups, with the Muong making up over 69% of the population.

Great national solidarity festival held in Thach Yen commune

A great national solidarity festival was held in Ngai hamlet, Thach Yen commune, Cao Phong district, on November 8. Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hoa Binh province Bui Van Khanh, and Colonel Trinh Duc Thiem, Commander of the provincial Military Command, attended the event.